Climate Adaptation Act: Technical measures for the urban climate and sealed areas are in place, implementation is too slow

🌍 As of today, the nationwide Climate Adaptation Act (KAnG) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUV) comes into force. It is intended to create a binding framework to promote adaptation to the consequences of climate change. The Association of German Engineers (VDI) has already presented technical measures that show how cities can be relieved in hot weather, for example through targeted cooling measures. Despite existing standardization, the implementation of these innovations is still too slow in many places.

🌬️ Urban climate and the importance of local cold air currents

The urban climate can be improved by local cold air currents. These currents can provide relief in densely built-up areas that are particularly affected by sealing and building density. “Overheating occurs more frequently and for a longer period of time, predominantly in summer. With corresponding health impairments for city residents,” explains VDI expert Matthias Rau. The reduced cooling down at night plays a particularly important role here. In this context, Rau demands: “It is time to act and standardize.” Dr. Valeri Goldberg, another climate expert from the VDI, emphasizes the importance of thermally induced balancing flows: “Ensuring the supply of cooler air to overheated urban areas is an important measure as part of sustainable urban planning.”

🌿 The VDI and international climate efforts

The VDI is one of the largest rule-setters and works intensively on guidelines for climate adaptation. Despite international efforts and commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C or at least 2°C, efforts to date are not enough to achieve this goal. Even if all existing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are met, the global average temperature could rise by 2.1 to 2.8 °C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. “Only if climate protection efforts are intensified can the effects of global warming be limited and controlled,” emphasizes Catharina Fröhling, the “Challenge – Adaptation to Climate Change” project coordinator at the VDI. Preventive strategies and measures to adapt to climate change are crucial here.

🚀 Important adaptation strategies from VDI

In order to effectively meet the challenges of climate change, the VDI recommends a number of important adaptation strategies:

1. Preservation and creation of fresh air corridors and ventilation paths

These measures make a significant contribution to the ventilation and cooling of urban areas.

2. Green space networking and trees

By integrating green spaces and tree avenues, the evaporation rate is increased and overheating is reduced.

3. Local greening measures

Green facades and roofs help reduce building heating and reduce the need for cooling during heat periods.

4. Unsealing of areas

The unsealing of parking lots and side streets leads to improved infiltration performance during heavy rain events, which reduces the risk of flooding.

5. Shading systems

These reduce solar radiation on buildings and thus contribute to cooling.

🌟 The VDI as a designer of the future

The VDI plays a central role as a designer of the future. He has been providing important impetus for technical progress for more than 165 years. With its diverse and far-reaching community, the VDI is an important knowledge multiplier and mediates between technology, science, business and politics. He motivates people to push the boundaries of what is possible and sets standards for sustainable innovation. His work makes a significant contribution to ensuring progress and prosperity in Germany. In its unique multidisciplinary network, which includes around 130,000 members, the VDI brings together the necessary knowledge and expertise to shape the path to a sustainable future.

🏙️ Technical measures and urban climate adaptation

The VDI's technical measures and recommendations underline the need for rapid and effective implementation of climate adaptation strategies. For example, the association emphasizes the importance of cooling urban spaces by ensuring fresh air corridors. These corridors are particularly crucial in densely built-up areas, as these areas warm more strongly due to the high building density and the associated “heat island effect”. With targeted ventilation measures, such as creating fresh air corridors, cities can benefit from a better microclimate.

🌱 Importance of green spaces and structures

Green spaces and green structures also play an important role in urban climate adaptation. Parks, gardens and green roofs not only serve as aesthetic elements in the cityscape, but also fulfill important ecological functions. They increase biodiversity, reduce air temperature through evaporative cooling and provide protection from heavy rainfall. Green facades and roofs can also improve the energy efficiency of buildings by reducing the heating of the building structures and thus reducing the need for air conditioning.

💧 Unsealing of areas and water management

The unsealing of areas is another important measure for adapting to climate change. In urban areas, great importance is often placed on sealing in order to build infrastructure such as roads and parking lots. However, these sealed areas can lead to flooding during heavy rain events because the water cannot seep away. Unsealing such areas and creating green spaces or infiltration areas can significantly reduce the risk of flash floods.

⛱️ Intelligent shading systems

In addition to the physical measures, the implementation of intelligent shading systems is also very important. These systems reduce direct sunlight on buildings and thus help reduce the indoor temperature. Modern shading technologies, such as automatically controlled blinds or sun sails, react to changing weather conditions and thus offer an effective solution for cooling down urban areas.

🛠️ The VDI as a tireless shaper of the future

The VDI sees itself as a tireless designer of the future, always aiming to develop and implement innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges of climate change. Through his extensive networks, he is able to pool the strengths of engineers, scientists, politicians and economic experts and develop common strategies. As the third largest technical rule setter in Germany, the VDI sets standards for technical innovations and thus actively contributes to global climate protection.

🌟 The nationwide Climate Adaptation Act and the role of the VDI

The nationwide Climate Adaptation Act represents an important step towards a sustainable future. The technical measures and recommendations developed by the VDI provide a solid basis for making cities and urban areas resilient to the consequences of climate change. Despite the existing challenges and slow implementation, these strategies must now be implemented consistently and quickly. The VDI will continue to play a crucial role in driving technological progress and addressing the impacts of climate change. Only through joint efforts can we secure a livable and sustainable future for future generations.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌱 Successful implementation of the Climate Adaptation Act
• 🏙️ Cooling strategies for overheated cities
• 🚇 Technological innovations for sustainable urban planning
• 🏞️ Importance of green spaces and trees in the city
• 🌡️ Challenges caused by urban overheating
• 🌳 Strategies for unsealing urban areas
• ♻️ Role of the VDI for climate-friendly urban development
• 💧 Solutions to urban flooding through unsealing
• 🏢 Influence of green architecture on urban climate
• 🛠️ Technical standards for the urban climate

#️⃣ Hashtags: #climate adaptation #urbanclimate #sustainability #greenspaces #technicalmeasures

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