Pro Schwerin celebrates 30 years: Future plan for the State Garden Show 2035!

Pro Schwerin celebrates 30 years: Future plan for the State Garden Show 2035!

On September 19, 2025, the Pro Schwerin association celebrated a significant anniversary: ​​its 30th anniversary was duly honored with a celebration in the Schleswig-Holstein House in Schwerin. Among the guests of honor were Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig and Mayor Rico Badenschier, both of whom emphasized the city's positive development through the association's initiatives. Schwesig particularly emphasized the lasting influence Pro Schwerin had on urban development.

In her speech, she recalled essential projects that have been implemented in recent years, including the Federal Garden Show in 2009, the recognition of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the upgrading of the French Way. These developments are not only proof of the club's tireless commitment, but also of the successful cooperation with the city administration.

Vision for the future: State Garden Show 2035

An exciting topic at the ceremony was Schwerin's upcoming application for the 2035 State Garden Show. Werner Hinz, the chairman of Pro Schwerin, has already announced his plans for this. On July 29, 2025, the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania unanimously decided to support the city in this application. A major goal: the creation of new, affordable living spaces on a 39-hectare site, most of which has already been acquired.

The initiative for the application goes back to the PRO Schwerin association and the Schwerin World Heritage Support Association. Its chairmen, Werner Hinz and Joachim Brenncke, took part in the crucial cabinet meeting together with Mayor Badenschier. However, Schwerin city representatives now have to officially decide on the application before the process can continue.

The role of garden shows in urban development

State garden shows are not an unknown concept. It has been discussed as an important means of urban development for over 30 years. While mega-events are often the focus of city politics, events such as the state garden shows in small and medium-sized towns often fall into the background. They are of great importance for the development of the respective cities by providing decisive impulses.

A current research project at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen addressed precisely these questions: How can such garden shows promote urban development? A core part of the research was the creation of a database of all state horticultural shows held in Germany since 1990. The findings from this comprehensive study will help to better understand the social acceptance and positive effects of such events and to prevent previous planning errors.

The debate about the role of events in urban development is more current than ever. With the upcoming State Garden Show 2035, Schwerin could not only present its green side, but also take a further step towards becoming a livable city.

For further information on the celebratory highlights and Pro Schwerin's future plans, visit NDR, [Pro Schwerin].