Above the tracks – a Global Field for Wuppertal

The Wuppertal Global Field “Über den Gleisen” takes a look into the future: what would arable land look like if it was planted with exactly what would feed people healthily and at the same time not further exploit our planet? The Planetary Health Diet provides an answer – and the areas of the Global Field in Wuppertal are planted according to precisely this principle.

It is about a globally sustainable diet that takes planetary boundaries into account and ranges from sustainable agriculture to reducing food waste. The origin of food and conscious consumption are also important topics in the Planetary Health Diet. As an extracurricular place of learning for educational institutions, but also as a place of knowledge and action for the public, this content is conveyed during communal farming, harvesting and design.

A queue of people walks across the Global Field, past the geodome.
Opening party summer 2025 (©Sonja Pöhlmann)
Five young adults sit at a table and chop vegetables together.
“Planetary Health Diet taste” (©Sebastian Fischer)

The Wuppertal Global Field is centrally located in the middle of the city directly on the busy Nordbahntrasse, a pedestrian and cycle path that connects the people of the city from east to west and is therefore easily accessible from anywhere.

After a lot of preparatory work (soil preparation, creation of infrastructure such as tool containers, geodome as a greenhouse, composting facility, construction trailer, compost toilet and raised beds), the first season started in 2025. Work began on cultivating the fruit and vegetable beds – oil plants and cereals will be added from 2026.

A man saws boards for the geodome - the almost finished geodome can be seen in the background.
Geodome construction in winter (©Lisa Oberschelp)
A group of children listen to the educational advisor from Wuppertal, a poster on the wall reads "Welcome to the KinderKochKlub".
KinderKochKlub (©Armin Dinn)

At the same time, the test phase of the educational program has started. On the one hand, the pupils help out in the field and, on the other, receive further information about nutrition, sustainability and agriculture as part of a playful theoretical section. This allows them to build a direct relationship with their food – especially when it is finally time to “harvest” and the students cook and enjoy together on the Global Field in Wuppertal.

A group of children plant lettuce seedlings in the ground.
Planting lettuces (©Karo Snethlage)
With a drill in her hand, a woman stands on the ladder and builds the scaffolding of the composting toilet. Two men are helping her.
Building the composting toilet (©Karo Snethlage)

The official opening took place in June 2025 and the Wuppertal Global Field already regularly welcomes school classes from elementary school to grade 10, youth centers and leisure groups, and everyone can lend a hand on the monthly action day.

Anyone interested is cordially invited to come along to the Global Field in Wuppertal and get involved – the team is looking forward to seeing you!

More information about the Global Field Wuppertal