Climate adjustment in Wehr: This is how the city fights against the heat!

Climate adjustment in Wehr: This is how the city fights against the heat!

As part of the current challenges of climate change, the city of Wehr has developed a comprehensive climate adaptation concept that is promoted by two thirds of the country. The aim of this concept is to take measures to endure the summer heat, to prevent floods and actively operate forest fire protection. Sven Geiger, the urban climate protection manager, emphasizes the urgency to prevent heat islands within the city, as sealed concrete areas in the city center heat up strongly in the summer.

hotspots for these heat include the schoolyard of the Zelgschule, the glass staircase of the Zelgschule, the Talschulplatz and the Merian nursing home of the community foundation, as well as tightly built residential areas on Haydnstraße and in Hölzle. The meteorological conditions in weir, like Talwinde from the east and north, ensure cooling at night, which is particularly important for the city's ventilation channels.

planned measures for heat protection

The city has set priorities to implement the measures proposed in the concept promptly. The focus is on heat protection for citizens, especially for vulneral groups. The planned initiatives include the installation of public drinking water points at schools and other public institutions as well as the establishment of municipal cooling centers. In addition, the churches should be open over 30 degrees longer on hot days to offer the citizens a retreat.

Another important aspect is the greening of trees, which can reduce temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius and surface temperatures by up to 20 degrees Celsius. This could not only stabilize the local microclimate, but also contribute to improving the quality of life of the residents.

challenges from heat islands

The problem of the so -called heat islands, in which inner cities are heated up significantly due to their geometry and the use of heat -storing materials, is reinforced by anthropogenic heat sources such as motor vehicles, industrial heating and climate systems. According to a report by the IPCC, these factors pose major challenges for urban areas. Vulnerability compared to extreme weather events such as heat waves, especially in urbanized regions with high population density, is enormous.

The city of Wehr has so far no tropical nights, which can be described as positive, is also exposed to the highest risks if the climate conditions shift. Therefore, the aim is to plant climate -owned trees in the afforestation in the city forest as part of the climate adaptation concept. Mayor Michael Thater emphasizes that these changes in the climate alignment find a rethink in urban planning.

weir as an interface

The city of Wehr sees itself not only as a possibly maker for various climate generation, but as an interface between different groups. The concept for climate adaptation is aimed at developing strategies together with citizens, the local economy and scientific institutions that are tailored to the specific conditions on site. This also includes innovative approaches such as water management in other cities and the planning of urban green spaces so that the city will remain worth living in the future.