In July 2024, pupils from the St. Anna primary and high school got some exciting news about plans for their schoolyard as part of JUSTNature project. The pupils, who participated in a workshop in October 2023 about redesigning their school courtyard, together with their teachers and some members of the parents’ council, heard about the temporary interventions that will be built over the summer. Alice Reil (City of Munich, Referat für Stadtplanung und Bauordnung) presented the results of the design process, based on contributions from the pupils at last year’s workshop. Members of Green City e.V, who are responsible for the planting actions, contributed by answering questions from the audience about the greening interventions.
Just before school’s out for summer, the temporary redesign of the St Anna schoolyard is getting started!
The variety of ideas that the pupils had suggested for their schoolyard at the workshop were briefly summarized during the presentation. The most important points were highlighted: desire for greenery and sun protection, places to retreat and hide, seating and a better quality of stay, more opportunities for exercise and play as well as for learning in the schoolyard. Ms. Reil’s question of whether some changes in the schoolyard had already been noticed made the rounds, and everyone listened attentively as she presented the planned interventions to the audience. A woven willow fence with climbing plants and other plants for visual protection will be installed. An awning and a green classroom as a place of learning and retreat will be set up as mobile installations in the courtyard. There will also be more shade from trees and shrubs, as well as raised beds for herbs, vegetables and fruit. The pupils wanted to know when they could join in and whether many schoolyards have already been greened as part of the JUSTNature Project. They were excited to hear that their school will be the first to implement the temporary greening measures.
To realise this project, the help of enthusiastic pupils and teachers is essential, and already the children and teenagers have been getting involved: weaving a willow fence and painting some planter beds before the summer break. Further help with caring for the plants and ideas for activating the space are welcome! The aim of the project is to give the school pupils a voice in two key ways: by integrating their ideas into the process of developing interventions for their schoolyard, and by actively engaging them (with the help of their teachers) in the implementation of these interventions, which reinforces the sense of ownership. For the future, it is hoped that this project will not only inspire ownership among the St. Anna kids and teenagers, but also encourage other schools in Munich to include their pupils’ visions and ideas to bring more greenery, more sun protection and more happy faces to their courtyards.
