Environment Aargau cantonal council does not simply want to ban gravel gardens
The cantonal government of Aargau is against an explicit ban on gravel gardens. However, it is backing a cantonal concept for the promotion of climate-adapted, biodiverse and user-friendly open spaces in residential areas. The cantonal government supports the aim of preventing lifeless gravel gardens.
28.06.2024, 11:01
SDA
A ban aimed solely at gravel gardens would not do justice to the legitimate concern, the cantonal government wrote on Friday in its statement on a motion from the SP, Greens, GLP, SVP and EVP.
According to the government council, it supports the goal of designing open spaces in urban areas in such a way that they do not become heat islands. Open spaces should allow water to seep away, promote biodiversity and increase the quality of time spent outdoors.
Municipalities have leeway
Since the revision of the cantonal building ordinance, the municipalities have had a duty. In overall revisions and more comprehensive partial revisions of land use planning, they must show how the quality of living and the quality of outdoor and recreational spaces can be improved.
Within the framework of municipal autonomy, it is up to the municipalities to use the existing possibilities to demand green and user-friendly open spaces and to create any new requirements in municipal law.
Above all, the Government Council is relying on the concept for biodiversity areas in the canton, which was previously called for by the Grand Council. This is currently being developed. It also involves measures to raise awareness and provide advice as well as financial incentives. The issue of gravel gardens will also be addressed in this integrated approach.
In the canton of Solothurn, parliament decided in March to ban the creation of new rock and gravel gardens.
