Topographic structures such as stream and meadow valleys provide natural green belts which at the same time represent preferred pathways for ventilation, while green spaces benefit urban climate and its protection:

• Vegetation exerts a significant stabilizing effect on the CO2 balance, cools the area and improves air quality.
• Green spaces serve as place-keepers, eliminating other uses which could impact negatively on climate protection due to potential emissions of relevance for the climate, such as roads or buildings.
• Where lower-level and less dense vegetation exists, green spaces promote ventilation within built-up areas through generation of cold air through thermally induced local wind systems such as ground wind and downslope winds and so act as fresh air corridors. This reduces exposure to pollutants and dissipates the build-up of heat and thermal stress, in particular during periods of extreme heat.
• Where vegetation is higher and denser, high wind speeds during storms are buffered. Furthermore, woodland plays a major role in terms of protection against soil erosion as a result of heavy rainfall and storms.

These green areas are protected and/or created in Stuttgart through the Land Use Plan.