Passau leads heat check in Bavaria: potential for improvement identified!

Passau leads heat check in Bavaria: potential for improvement identified!

The city of Passau has caught up well in the area of ​​heat protection. This is shown by the nationwide “Heat Check” by German Environmental Aid, which evaluates 190 cities, 15 of which are in Bavaria. Passau shines with the best rating in Bavaria and is ranked 157th in Germany, with 1 being the worst place. The heat stress for citizens in Passau varies: 6.64% of residents hardly have to deal with heat, while 68.94% suffer from medium heat stress and 24.42% suffer from severe heat stress. Has such results pnp.de noted. Even though Passau received a “yellow card” for its potential for improvement, the measures implemented since last year are a step in the right direction.

The average surface temperature in Passau is 33 degrees, with a sealing of 46% and a green volume of 3.5%. These values ​​are in the yellow range, which means that action is required. To counteract this, several drinking water fountains have already been installed on Ludwigsplatz and Domplatz. Mayor Jürgen Dupper is convinced that this will significantly improve the quality of life in public spaces during the hot summer months. This is also reflected in the new measures that the Climate and Environment Committee has decided to implement comprehensive heat action planning for 2024.

Comprehensive heat management measures

Bavarian cities are putting a lot of effort into developing action plans to combat heat and drought. Cities like Straubing, Nuremberg and Bayreuth have already implemented concrete concepts. This includes more drinking fountains, green spaces and cool places to stay - an important concern because high temperatures pose a health risk, especially for sensitive groups such as older people, pregnant women or people with previous illnesses. Health Minister Judith Gerlach emphasizes the importance of close cooperation with municipalities in order to develop individual heat action plans. The Greens in the state parliament are questioning the need for this because a funding program for climate protection has been put on hold. The lack of funding for climate protection measures is also met with criticism. merkur.de takes an exciting look at the implementations in the various cities.

The municipal heat action plans, which have been recommended by the WHO since the hot summer of 2003, are also essential. Current studies carried out in the “HAP-DE” research project show that heat action plans can help older people in particular to reduce the risk of death in heat waves. A survey of local governments found that around 58% of respondents were aware of recommendations for heat action plans. These plans can make a concrete contribution to protecting the health of the population, especially in a changing climate where heatwaves are expected to increase. The European Environment Agency predicts increasing frequency, duration and intensity of these weather phenomena. The Federal Environment Agency has put together a lot of interesting information about this Umweltbundesamt.de are accessible.

In Passau there is optimism that the consequences of heat waves can be better managed through targeted measures and the creation of a more pleasant living space. The exchange between the federal government, states and local authorities is considered necessary in order to master the challenges of climate change together.