Kirn fights the heat: This is how the city center becomes cooler!

Kirn fights the heat: This is how the city center becomes cooler!

The summer heat is causing problems for many cities in Germany and poses health challenges, especially for risk groups such as older people and children. According to the heat check by German Environmental Aid, Bad Kreuznach is in an alarming tenth place among cities with high heat stress. Concreted areas and narrow street canyons are a hindrance because they lead to excessive heating during the day and hardly allow cooling down at night. The city's inner city largely does not offer enough cooling greenery on hot days, which exacerbates the situation. These developments are worrying, not least because the federal government expects climate change damage of up to 900 billion euros by 2050 and the new Federal Climate Adaptation Act will come into force from July 2024, which is intended to strengthen resilience to these challenges.

In Kirn, however, things look a little rosier. With its location on the Hahnenbach, loose development and a certain number of trees, the city offers relief on hot days. Passers-by can enjoy the natural shade here, especially along Bahnhofstrasse and the market square. A look at the possibilities shows that Kirn could definitely take a step forward compared to Bad Kreuznach. Kirner Land News reports suggestions such as a public drinking water dispenser and sunscreen dispenser in the market square that could help make staying in the city center more pleasant on hot days.

Measures for more climate protection

Against the background of climate change, sustainable measures are required. The city of Bad Kreuznach has already launched a number of initiatives to reduce heat stress. These include the unsealing of areas and the greening of urban areas. These measures are intended not only to reduce urban heat islands, but also to contribute to air quality. The concept could also be of interest to Kirn, as there is still potential for action here. More trees could not only provide shade, but also bind CO₂, reduce air pollution and improve the surrounding climate, as stated by Bad Kreuznach heat emerges.

Additionally, Kirn could benefit from a “sponge city concept” that efficiently stores rainwater while lowering the temperature on hot days. Fresh air corridors could also help promote air exchange in urban areas, as is already being done successfully in other cities.

Health and prevention

Measures against the heat are crucial for the health of citizens. A heat action plan like the one Frankfurt has already implemented could serve as a model. Such plans include not only warning systems, but also strategies to create comfortable indoor conditions, especially in facilities for older people. The City of Frankfurt website reports on the importance of climate adaptation measures to protect the population from the serious consequences of climate change. Frankfurt.de highlights that the discussion about extreme summers and the associated heat events underlines the need for appropriate adaptation strategies not only in large cities, but also in smaller communities such as Kirn.

In summary, it can be said that Kirn has some positive prerequisites for meeting the challenges of climate change - especially through natural resources. The city has the opportunity to continue working on a heat-resistant cityscape in order to enable comfortable living and living even on hot days. The combination of awareness of the climate impacts and targeted measures could make Kirn a model example in the region.