Gehlberg

Localisation

Main factors of successful redevelopment process

• Revitalisation of the brownfield as extensive grassland
• Natural-near development of riverside
• Natural-near development of running water
• Appreciation in land value and overall appearance of townscape located in the Thüringer Wald Nature Park

Brief description of site and current use

Renaturation of the former sawmill in Gehlberg

The decision to generate an ecological compensation area supply for Ilm-Kreis was approved 2006 in the regional masterplan. Due to this suitable areas were inspected, especially in terms of costs for unsealing and clearing operations.

One potential surface was the expanse of a former sawmill located at the entrance to the village Gehlberg next to the riverside of the river Wilde Gera. A 1945 on this area erected children´s holyday camp was closed 1990. Afterwards the buildings had fallen into disrepair and got damaged due to vandalism. Which lead to the depreciation of the overall appearance of the townscape.

The location was renaturated 2009 on the orders of the municipality and the permit for an administrative support of the project of 60 % of all costs by the Regionale Aktionsgruppe Gotha-Ilmkreis-Erfurt (RAG).

All buildings were pulled down, the riverside was built out near-natural and the area was cultivated as extensive grassland. An appreciation in land value and the overall appearance of the townscape located in the Thüringer Wald Nature Park and a nearly natural development of the running water was achieved. Furthermore the area was accepted as an area for the ecological compensation area supply of the Ilm-Kreis.

Original use – basic description

Current state – basic description

Contact to stakeholders

Source of information

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