When Deutsche Bahn must intervene in nature due to construction activities, it provides appropriate ecological compensation. This not only creates new habitats for animals and plants but often also recreational spaces for people.

In Frankfurt am Main, for example, Deutsche Bahn built a new S-Bahn connection between the international airport and the Frankfurt stadium. To compensate for this intervention ecologically, the old existing rail line was removed. On the previously sealed areas, native oak trees now grow. The removal created a large, contiguous natural and recreational area in the Schwanheimer Unterwald.

New urban forest for recreation

In Leipzig, a new recreational area was also created through a conservation measure. On a former freight yard in the Plagwitz district, Deutsche Bahn, together with the city of Leipzig, established a new urban forest. For this measure, DB receives so-called “eco points,” which can be used in other construction projects later.

The examples in Frankfurt and Leipzig are just two of many compensation and replacement measures by Deutsche Bahn.