Panel Discussion: What Is Nature Worth to Us in the City?

What would trees, green spaces, or drinking fountains be worth if we treated nature as capital? Join experts to discuss the economic and societal value of urban nature.

What value do trees, green spaces, or drinking fountains hold in urban spaces—today and in the future? And what if we treated nature as a commodity, assigning a price tag to its resources, services, and economic contributions?

Nature is the capital of our future: it cools cities, purifies water, protects against extreme weather, and saves immense costs. In fact, climate protection pays off and is far cheaper than doing nothing—yet its economic value is often overlooked.

The forum invites discussion on this very question: How much are we willing to invest in urban nature? How can green spaces, water bodies, and biodiversity be strategically integrated into city planning, architecture, and design—and what new business models might emerge?

In the panel discussion, conceived and moderated by UnDesignUnit, experts from business, urban planning, and design explore how nature can be leveraged and experienced as valuable capital—ranging from climate- and biodiversity-friendly architecture to innovative greening systems—for livable, resilient, and economically sustainable cities.

6:00–7:30 pm Panel discussion
5:00–10:00 pm Open doors and pop-up bar by Christine Thomas (Chirpfood), featuring drinks made from wild plants growing in the city.

The event is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. As part of the application process, bayern design provided advisory support.