Hitze-Check 2024: How Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd assert themselves

Hitze-Check 2024: How Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd assert themselves

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Stand: 01.08.201 p.m.

by: Florian Wagner

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Climate change and urban heat: an urgent problem in the Ostalbkreis

The summer months show a worrying tendency towards rising temperatures that not only affect the quality of life of the residents in the Ostalb district, but can also have health effects. While the phenomenon of urban heat island is being discussed worldwide, local cities such as Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd also deal with this problem.

The importance of greening for urban climate

A central topic in the discussion about the summer heat effect is the sealing of the city areas. This is done by using materials such as asphalt and concrete that prevent the natural seepl from water and promote the temperature rise. On the other hand, green areas such as parks, trees and flower meadows offer shadows and ensure that the air is cooled by evaporation. These surrounding plants have a recognizable influence on the microclimate of a city and help to regulate the temperatures in the hot months.

Aalen: Progress on the way to the urban greenery

With a sealing of 48.63 percent, Aalen is one of the cities that are severely affected by the urban heat effect. Nevertheless, the city is active by initiating projects to improve the city climate. The funding program "Leaves Aalen Waxes" has already brought initial successes, including promoting tree planting and greening measures on facades and roofs. The goal is to increase the green volume that can contribute to the cooling of the city.

Schwäbisch Gmünd: A positive example

Schwäbisch Gmünd, with a seal of 44.50 percent and a remarkable green volume of 4.20 m³ per square meter, has already made significant progress in the greening. Projects that were realized as part of the 2014 State Garden Show and the Remsstalgartschau 2019 have improved the Stadtklima sustainably. The city administration expressed itself positively about the results of the heat check and emphasizes its further way to promote a green urbanity.

Classification of the results: Heat check of the German Environmental Aid

The heat check evaluates the ratio of the sealed areas to the green areas in German cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. In addition to temperature increases, high sealing has potential effects on the health of residents. Cities with more than 50 percent sealed area receive a red card, and those with between 45 and 50 percent a yellow card. This evaluation system makes the climate challenges clear and shows that there is a need for action.

Future outlook: action is required

The increased temperature situation in the Ostalbkreis is a solidifying problem. Cities have to develop suitable strategies to alleviate the effects of climate change. Initiatives to promote green spaces are a step in the right direction to improve both the quality of life of their citizens and to make the urban area more climate -friendly. It remains to be seen how these developments will have an impact in the future, but the urgency of action is unmistakable.

- Nag