Successful international exchange from 9 to 11 June 2026 in Berlin

Green cities must become the norm. This call was a recurring theme throughout the World Congress of Building Greening, which took place in Berlin from 9 to 11 June 2026. The more than 700 participants from 32 countries were in agreement: plants on roofs, on façades and indoors are among the most effective climate adaptation measures and must be given much greater priority in planning, by local authorities and in policy-making. The Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG) sent a strong signal in this regard with its international event.

At the start of the congress, BuGG President Dr. Gunter Mann and Paulo Palha, President of the European Federation of Green Roof and Living Wall Associations (EFB), called for an intensive exchange of views. Mann emphasised: “The World Congress provides an important platform for discussing scientific and technical solutions for climate adaptation in our cities.” Palha added: “In the future, dialogue and close cooperation will be crucial to make cities more resilient as quickly as possible.”

Thomas Banzhaf, President of the Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e.V. (BGL), sees the solution in greening buildings: “Stone and glass façades, as well as the endless roof surfaces, are valuable and should be conceived as new green landscapes. The potential of these areas is enormous.” He believes politicians have a particular responsibility – to set the course. The BGL President urges: “Our country needs to pick up the pace considerably when it comes to greening our cities!”

Berlin’s Environment Senate: Green roofs are a necessity

Ute Bonde, Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and Environment in Berlin, and patron of the congress, spoke out clearly in favour of greening buildings: “Greening buildings is not a luxury, but a necessity!” The fact that so many experts, scientists, planners and environmentalists are gathering in Berlin sends a strong signal to the world, said Bonde. Pressure on already limited land is mounting everywhere. Unused roof and façade areas offer an important alternative with a wide range of benefits. Green roofs are a versatile solution for climate-resilient cities. The World Congress is giving new momentum to developments in our cities. “Resting on our achievements is not an option for us! We need even more courage and cannot afford to stand still,” emphasised Ute Bonde.

Parliamentary State Secretary Bettina Hagedorn, whose Federal Ministry for the Environment also acted as patron of the congress, recognises the great importance of greening roofs, façades and interior spaces: “Green buildings are popular and are no longer a specialized topic. They are part of modern public services. The BuGG has been carrying out crucial pioneering work for years.” Cities are under pressure, and the existing building stock in particular offers great potential for greening. However, the climate-resilient redevelopment of our cities is a enormous task. “As a ministry, we are supporting our local authorities in this endeavour.” Hagedorn also highlighted the trade exhibition, which took place alongside the conference programme: “I am impressed by the trade exhibition. It showcases the innovative strength of German SMEs.”

Latest solutions and developments

53 companies, associations and organisations provided a comprehensive overview of the industry’s various product and system solutions, as well as its services, at the trade exhibition. This was complemented by a poster exhibition featuring 63 contributions from 7 countries. Both proved to be popular venues for exchanging ideas, catching up with old friends and meeting new people.

The numerous presentations demonstrated just how dynamic the sector is. 90 speakers from 24 countries provided a comprehensive insight into research and practical implementation. Keynote speakers offered thought-provoking insights. Among others, the French botanist Dr. Patrick Blanc highlighted the importance of choosing the right plants when greening buildings. He draws inspiration from his many travels: “I’ve been travelling the world for 50 years, looking for plants. I always take my cue from nature,” said Blanc. Greening projects can become complex structures. The interplay between plant and location is crucial. In practice, one must mimic nature within an artificial space and provide artificial water reservoirs.

In his keynote speech, ‘Your Actions Affect My Being’, Prof. Werner Sobek emphasised the responsibility that each of us bears for our own actions. He argued that collective thinking and action can make a significant difference. The internationally renowned architect called for greater foresight regarding the future. “Engaging with questions about the future on a global scale is the most important thing for architecture. We need more trees, and greening buildings is incredibly important. We must green as much as we can!” Furthermore, he said, accurate information and the transfer of knowledge form the basis for a climate-adapted transformation of cities. Sobek advised: “We should get to know other people’s ways of thinking and talk to one another more.”

Excursions: exclusive insights

On Day 3 of the World Congress, guided tours led by experts took place to visit notable greening projects in Berlin. In addition to knowledge-sharing and showcasing examples of best practice, the focus was on networking amongst participants from the fields of planning, politics, local authorities, urban water management, industry, the property sector and associations. The approximately 260 participants on the four excursions were impressed by the abundance and diversity of green roofs, green façades and indoor greening in Berlin. These included projects that are not open to the public. These exclusive insights, with guided tours led by the project managers, were a highlight of the congress.

“The World Congress of Building Greening has given us all another wake-up call. It has shown just how important greenery on and in buildings is, and just what is possible,” said BuGG President Dr. Gunter Mann in his closing remarks. The task now is to continue working together and to put the concept of green buildings into practice on an even larger scale. “The congress has given the whole initiative a real boost. We must now capitalise on this!”

The World Congress of Building Greening was organised by the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG) – with the support of international and national partners such as the European Federation (EFB), the green building associations from Austria (VfB) and Switzerland (SFG), EILO, Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau (BGL), the Professional Association for Indoor Greening and Hydroponics, Neue Landschaft, Stadt+Grün, as well as 18 other congress partners and 17 media partners.

The World Congress has received further support from numerous gold, silver and bronze sponsors. The gold sponsors: Paul Bauder GmbH & Co. KG, GDL GmbH Gärten-Dächer-Landschaften BELKE/SCHRAG Fassaden GmbH, Knauf Insulation Urbanscape, Optigrün international AG, Wagner GmbH & Co. KG/Weiss + Appetito, Zinco Holcim.

Find out more about BuGG at www.gebaeudegruen.info

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Live vote to select the winners of the BuGG ‘Green Building of the Year 2026’ competition

A total of 50 showcase projects were in the running for the ‘Green Building of the Year 2026’ competition organised by the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V. (BuGG). Following an initial public voting round, the grand final took place at the World Congress of Building Greening in Berlin. Congress participants voted for the winners live via their smartphones. The winners are:

  • “BuGG Green Roof of the Year 2026”: Chladeniusstraße Nursery in Großenhain, BuGG members: Heidel Dachbegrünung GmbH and Blaurock Landschaftsarchitektur
  • “BuGG Green Façade of the Year 2026”: Garden Tower in Wabern (Switzerland), BuGG member: Carl Stahl ARC GmbH
  • “BuGG Indoor Greening of the Year 2026”: x-tention Campus in Wels (Austria), BuGG members: Weitmann Raumbegrünung/Element Green GmbH and Aplantis
  • “BuGG Special Greening Project of the Year 2026”: mitteNgrün Nikolaistraße in Hanover, BuGG member: Carl Stahl ARC GmbH

Photos

  • Fig. 1: A full house at the World Congress of Building Greening: the international event attracted over 700 participants. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 2: A full house at the World Congress of Building Greening: the international event attracted over 700 participants. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 3: A full house at the World Congress of Building Greening: the international event attracted over 700 participants. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 4: A full house at the World Congress of Building Greening: the international event attracted over 700 participants. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 5: BuGG President Dr. Gunter Mann: “The World Congress has shown just how important greenery on and in buildings is, and just what is possible.” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 6: BuGG President Dr. Gunter Mann (right) introduced the Bundesverband GebäudeGrün and its team. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 7: Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, and patron of the congress: “Greening buildings is not a luxury, but a necessity!” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 8: Bettina Hagedorn, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment: “Green roofs are part of modern public services.” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 9: Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for the Environment, Bettina Hagedorn, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Dr. Gunter Mann, President of BuGG, during a tour of the trade exhibition. Hagedorn: “The innovative strength of German SMEs is on display here.” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 10: Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for the Environment, Bettina Hagedorn, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Dr. Gunter Mann, President of BuGG, during a tour of the trade exhibition. Hagedorn: “The innovative strength of German SMEs is on display here.” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 11: Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for the Environment, Bettina Hagedorn, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Dr. Gunter Mann, President of BuGG, during a tour of the trade exhibition. Hagedorn: “The innovative strength of German SMEs is on display here.” Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 12: The accompanying trade exhibition, featuring 53 companies, associations and organisations, with a trade fair atmosphere. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 13: The accompanying trade exhibition, featuring 53 companies, associations and organisations, with a trade fair atmosphere. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 14: The accompanying trade exhibition, featuring 53 companies, associations and organisations, with a trade fair atmosphere. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 15: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 16: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 17: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 18: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 19: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 20: The keynote speakers provided significant insights for the industry. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 21: Panel discussion with (from left to right): Andrea Gebhard (President of the Federal Chamber of Architects), Peter Menke (conference moderator), Livia Shamir (architect at Stefano Boeri Architects) and Prof. Werner Sobek (architect at Werner Sobek AG). Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 22: The breaks provided the opportunity to network and visit the poster exhibition, which offered insights into the latest research findings. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 23: The breaks provided the opportunity to network and visit the poster exhibition, which offered insights into the latest research findings. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 24: All the specialist talks, which took place simultaneously in five rooms, were well attended – there was a great deal of interest. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 25: A delegation of Members of the North West Provincial Assembly in South Africa attended the congress. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 26: The grand final of the BuGG competition, ‘Green Building of the Year 2026’, took place at the conference. Source: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 27: The excursions to notable green spaces in Berlin were the highlight of the third day of the conference. Quelle: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 28: The excursions to notable green spaces in Berlin were the highlight of the third day of the conference. Quelle: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.

  • Fig. 29: The excursions to notable green spaces in Berlin were the highlight of the third day of the conference. Quelle: Bundesverband GebäudeGrün e.V.