Pulheim on heat alert: Where are the trees for our city?

Pulheim on heat alert: Where are the trees for our city?

The city of Pulheim is at the top of the list of the hottest cities in North Rhine-Westphalia in the summer heat. With temperatures often ranking third among cities with more than 50,000 residents, the need for climate adaptation measures is evident. Loud ksta.de Pulheim particularly suffers from a lack of trees, flower strips and hedges, which leads to poor air quality and above-average temperatures.

The heat check by German Environmental Aid (DUH) showed that Pulheim reached the lowest value among 76 cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is a clear indication of the heat stress there. The founder of the Pulheim local group of NABU, Karen Schmithüsen, also confirmed the urgent need for more green spaces. During a conversation with Mayor Frank Keppeler, the focus was on greening the city center, especially the heavily sealed areas. Schmithüsen suggests creating more plant islands and climate-resilient trees in the city.

The heat check and the situation in Pulheim

The DUH has identified over 12 million people in German cities who are exposed to extreme heat stress. A newly introduced “Heat Impact Index” clearly shows that Pulheim is struggling under these conditions. The analysis, which is based, for example, on data from Potsdamer Luftbild Umwelt Planning GmbH, reveals that 31 cities in Germany have received a red card for high heat pollution. Pulheim could think seriously about its own situation, because without appropriate greening measures nothing will change here.

But it's not just the city administration that is required. Michael Gotschika, a retired landscape gardener, criticized in an interview the lack of trees and the maintenance of the existing green spaces. Over 100 tree sections in the city are currently completely treeless - a problem that should be urgently remedied. In order to improve the urban climate, there is also a proposal to open piped sections of the Pulheimer Bach.

“We have to act now!” demands Schmithüsen, who also emphasizes youth work in environmental protection. Children and young people show a great interest in environmental protection projects, which gives hope for positive change. The city has already started to promote green roofs and facades, but the question remains as to when municipal buildings will also be greened.

The vision of a city worth living in

The city administration is currently examining the results of the heat check and is developing a concept for adapting to the consequences of climate change. Cooling projects are in the works, including funding programs for green roofs and natural gardens. Drinking water fountains will also soon be installed in the city area. When planting new plants, emphasis is placed on site-appropriate, climate-resilient tree and shrub species in order to make living conditions more bearable for everyone in Pulheim.

The pressure on the city to do something about the rising temperatures is increasing. Adjustments are not just a matter of aesthetics; they are crucial to the health and well-being of residents. In addition, the transformation into a heat-resilient city is of enormous importance in the context of global climate change. To ensure that Pulheim does not remain the third hottest city in North Rhine-Westphalia, hopes lie in a joint greening offensive.