Mannheim in midsummer heat shock: City council calls for immediate action!

Mannheim in midsummer heat shock: City council calls for immediate action!

Mannheim has the heat stress firmly under control. The extreme heat in the city is particularly difficult for older people. In an open letter to Mayor Christian Specht (CDU), city councilor Gerhard Fontagnier from the Green Party called for faster measures to be taken to combat heat stress. Fontagnier is referring to numerous complaints from citizens who can hardly get out of their homes when the temperature is high. According to mannheim24.de, Mannheim has already been classified as the hottest city in Germany by German Environmental Aid.

This reputation is supported by the German Environmental Aid's Heat Impact Index, which shows that Mannheim has the highest temperatures and the most people affected by summer heat. Despite a 2021 heat action plan that includes measures such as planting 1,000 trees and redesigning the station forecourt, many see this plan as inadequate. Traffic and nighttime noise also make it difficult to ventilate apartments, which worsens the situation. Fontagnier therefore criticizes the existing plan and demands that the city take tangible measures to improve living conditions during the hot summers.

Suggestions to improve the situation

Fontagnier's proposals include a variety of measures aimed at improving the urban climate. This includes:

• Flächen entsiegeln und Straßenränder begrünen
• Umwandlung von bestimmten Innenstadtbereichen in verkehrsberuhigte Zonen oder Sackgassen
• Einrichtung von „Superblocks“ mit großen Pflanzkübeln zur Verbesserung des Mikroklimas
• Einschränkung nächtlicher Durchfahrten durch die Innenstadt
• Schaffung von Aufenthaltsflächen durch Umnutzung von Parkplätzen
• Förderung von Nachtparkern in leerstehenden Tiefgaragen
• Schaffung von öffentlich zugänglichen, klimatisierten Räumen ohne Konsumzwang
• Beratungen und finanzielle Unterstützung für Beschattungslösungen an Fenstern

These measures are not only intended to reduce the heat, but also to sustainably improve the living space of people in the city.

The big heat problem

The challenges that the heat poses for the population are diverse. The health of citizens is suffering, especially among older people. As the Federal Environment Agency explains, the increase in heat waves since the 1970s has led to a significant health risk. The heat problem is particularly pronounced in urban areas and is expected to increase in the coming years.

With regard to Moscow, other cities such as Karlsruhe also have similar challenges. A heat action plan is currently being developed there, which aims to provide structural heat protection in daycare centers and schools as well as to raise awareness among vulnerable groups. Similar to Mannheim, those responsible there also hope that heat protection will be made a mandatory municipal task in order to receive financial support from the federal and state governments.

In summary, the challenges are inevitable and a comprehensive strategy is urgently needed to ensure the quality of life of citizens in Mannheim during the hot summer months. Time is of the essence and people need noticeable improvements in their immediate living environment during heat periods.