"Asphalt splitting" as an educational workshop for school classes and neighbourhood residents

A transformation from gray area to living urban nature! Every day we move on asphalt roads and squares without thinking about what is hidden underneath or what was once there. Asphalt covers the majority of urban soils and has significant disadvantages: it turns cities into heat islands in summer, disrupts the natural water balance, prevents soil organisms from accessing food, air and water. This inhibits biodiversity and thus affects not only the habitats of animals and plants, but also the quality of life of people in the city. In order to create liveable and climate-resilient cities, we must let the soil breathe again and ecologically upgrade the areas. At the "Asphalt split" action day, we transform grey areas into green areas. We learn why unsealing is important and put the knowledge directly into practice by breaking up asphalt, loosening soil and creating new habitats for plants and animals. Specifically, in consultation with the Wiedikon Cantonal School and teacher Anna Jablonkay, we already have a motivated school class at our side to split asphalt together in 2027 as part of the school's project days. We still lack the space. It would be ideal to unseal parts of the schoolyard. We know from conversations we have already had that I find it difficult. In the photos attached you will find our thoughts on this. During the think tank in March, I exchanged ideas with David Christie, who has a similar project idea (redesigning an entire neighborhood street with little asphalt as an example). We made a conscious decision to leave these two projects separately. We very much hope that this topic will be taken into account as a thematic block in the election and hope for courageous support from the city. In addition to the workshop, which will already take place in September 2026, we have already been able to unseal asphalt and gain know-how and experience in 2024 with the "Spalt im Aspahlt" action days at the central laundry. The photo also comes from there.

"The asphalt crackers" served as a great support and inspiration for us at the beginning. Our workshop "Asphalt splitting" at Park Platz Letten in Sept. 2026 is an example of an implementation https://www.funk-umweltbildung.ch/angebote/asphalt-spalten.

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FUNK (Association) Robin Blickle (Office)

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Wiedikon Cantonal School, dead ends, smaller private areas,...