Goslar fights against the heat: new fountains and green oases planned!

Goslar fights against the heat: new fountains and green oases planned!

The city of Goslar presented its heat protection measures in a comprehensive press release today, July 16, 2025. Especially in times of rising temperatures, the drinking water supply in communities becomes an indispensable lifeline. This is exactly where there is a great need for action, because according to the current statistics from the RKI, an estimated 3,200 people died in Germany in 2023 as a result of extreme heat, an alarming signal that calls on all cities to act. Regional today reports that the city has defined suitable locations for public drinking fountains, including the Marktkirche, Jakobikirche, Neuwerk Monastery and André-Mouton-Platz in Oker. Sponsors have already been found, but other companies are being sought to supply the youth square in Jürgenohl, the Rathausstrasse in Hahnenklee and the market square in Ohlhof with drinking water.

To counteract the heat, the first refill stations were set up at the beginning of the year where citizens can refill free tap water. These places include the Kaiserpfalz, KUMA, the Tourist Information, the Stadtforst, the MachMit!Haus, the Rammelsberghaus and the city library. All youth centers are also part of the innovative refill network. These measures are not only critical to provide for the public, but also a response to increasing heatwaves caused by climate change. Deutschlandfunk highlights that extreme weather events are increasing and the health risks are increasing, particularly for the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill. This has led to cities nationwide setting up heat protection plans to better inform the population.

Look for cool oases

The city of Goslar has identified additional cool places that have been compiled on a map. These places offer welcome cooling during the hot summer months: These include not only churches, but also gardens, ramparts and the municipal outdoor pool as well as the Frankenberg Pond. Additional calming spaces were recently created through the purchase of green benches, which are very popular both in the city center and on the market square. The city is also looking for suitable areas for additional tree locations in the central area and is supporting citizens in greening their properties. Applications for facade, roof and courtyard greening can be submitted until September 26th. The documents can be easily accessed online.

The need for such initiatives is also supported by the “Heat Check 2025” from German Environmental Aid. This shows that more than 12 million people in German cities are exposed to extreme heat stress, with particularly threatened cities such as Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Worms standing out. In view of this dramatic situation, the DuH calls on citizens to encourage their cities to provide more heat protection. You H Points out that it is urgently necessary to establish binding minimum green areas in urban areas in order to be able to better withstand future heat waves.

The obligation to develop climate adaptation strategies is the responsibility of the states and municipalities. In cities like Cologne, the population is therefore actively informed and advised about heat protection measures. One can only hope that the collective efforts and actions can not only improve the quality of life, but also preserve the health of citizens so that they are well cared for and protected even in hot times.