Hamburg and Bremen Battle to Unpave Cities in Green Derby
Hamburg and Bremen are facing off in a unique environmental challenge called the Unpave the North Derby. The competition aims to remove as much concrete and asphalt as possible, replacing them with green, permeable spaces. Last year alone, Hamburg unsealed over 5,400 square meters of paved surfaces in its push for a greener city. The Unpave the North Derby was launched by Hamburg's Ministry for the Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture. Both cities are competing in the Major League category of Germany's nationwide Unsealing Challenge. The goal is simple: remove the most paved area per capita and replace it with planted, water-absorbing soil.
Katharina Fegebank, Hamburg's Senator for the Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture, described the effort as a collaborative push. 'Climate adaptation is a team sport—and in the end, every city comes out a winner,' she said. Meanwhile, Bremen is also taking part, though figures for its 2025 unsealing efforts are not yet available. The *Bremen Unpaves! – Competition for a Greener City* remains open for submissions until October 31, 2026. Participants can still register their contributions as the race to reduce urban heat and improve water absorption continues.
The Unpave the North Derby highlights a growing focus on climate adaptation in northern Germany. Hamburg has already made progress, removing thousands of square meters of pavement in the past year. The results of the competition will show how much both cities can transform their urban landscapes into greener, more sustainable spaces.
