Future of Lake Unterbacher: Düsseldorf citizens help shape it!

Future of Lake Unterbacher: Düsseldorf citizens help shape it!

A comprehensive concept study on the future of Lake Unterbach is being prepared in Düsseldorf. This study, which was commissioned by the city of Düsseldorf, aims to plan the development and use of the popular local recreation area. Various aspects should be taken into account, including recreational use, nature conservation and the required infrastructure. Particularly noteworthy is the inclusion of citizens in this process in order to collect their opinions and ideas and incorporate them into the planning Düsseldorf currently reports.

The concept study is intended to help promote and stimulate the sustainable development of Lake Unterbacher. The lake is not only a beautiful place to relax, but also an important ecosystem that has been altered in the past by peat cutting and sand and gravel mining. It is located in the southeast of Düsseldorf and forms part of a green belt between two nature reserves, the Eller Forest in the northeast and the Elbsee in the southeast, which has been under protection since 2010.

Citizen participation and online survey

To capture citizens' thoughts, an online concept study survey will be offered until the end of May 2025. The survey topics cover a wide range. This includes satisfaction with cleanliness, nature conservation and landscape management, the offers for families and children, and accessibility by public transport. The survey also records opinions on gastronomy, leisure and sports offerings, accessibility, safety and the quality of stay at Lake Unterbacher. The condition of the infrastructure and buildings is also assessed, reports BUND Düsseldorf.

Visitors already expressed their wishes for an expansion of the tourist infrastructure and more events at the association's stand on May 1st. The importance of Lake Unterbach as a quiet place to relax and observe nature was also highlighted. This is also reflected in the study's fields of action, which aim to modernize public space on both the north and south banks.

Sustainability and nature conservation

A central component of the study is the assessment of future perspectives that include ecological and sustainability-oriented measures. The offerings should be designed for different age and population groups, and the focus will also be on cultural events and educational offerings. Citizens are also invited to express their wishes for the sustainable development of the lake in a free text option.

The Unterbacher See is used in a variety of ways. Especially in the western area there are beaches, campsites, restaurants, playgrounds as well as a surf school and boat rental. The eastern part, on the other hand, is characterized by biotopes that are worthy of protection and offer important habitats for endangered animal and plant species. This sustainable orientation and the preservation of natural resources are of great importance for future planning in order not only to preserve but also to improve the quality of the local recreation area.