Hitzestress in cities: Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd in alarm state!

Hitzestress in cities: Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd in alarm state!

Aalen, Deutschland - The heat lettings in cities are a burning topic, and a current Hitze-check 2.0 of German environmental aid (DUH), that there is a need for action in Baden-Württemberg. When evaluating 190 cities with over 50,000 inhabitants, all cities performed below average. Due to the acute risk from overheating, eleven cities were identified as particularly affected.

Especially Mannheim sets up a sad record: over 88 percent of the population lives in heavily overheated quarter. In summer, the surface temperatures there reach an average of 38.38 ° C - no wonder that the city has to deal with a seal of over 56%. In the region of Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd, the heat fuel index (HBI) results in an average dismay, with a third of the Aalener and a fifth of the Swabian Gmünder lived in highly stressed zones.

A look at the numbers

The DUH shares 31 cities such as Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Worms the dreaded “red card”, while 131 cities receive a “yellow card”. Only 28 cities can look forward to a "green card". A total of over 12 million people in Germany are exposed to extreme heat conditions. The basis for the HBI forms an analysis of satellite data between 2019 and 2024, which take into account the degree of sealing, the available green areas, the surface temperature and the population density.

• Mannheim: highest heat load with over 88% of the population in overheated quarter.
• Ludwigshafen and Worms: Similar challenges with up to 91% in loaded areas.
• Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd: medium values ​​- Aalen has a higher degree of sealing.

long -term challenges and solutions

The current climatic changes for municipalities in Baden-Württemberg are an enormous challenge. The particularly vulnerable groups include seniors, toddlers, chronically ill and people who work outdoors. In order to counteract heat stress, the DUH demands binding minimum green parts in the urban area.

The Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building ( bmwsb ) also relies on a comprehensive adaptation of city and construction development. The aim is to improve living conditions in highly urbanized areas through roof and facade green, more urban water and the creation of cool shadow zones. The strategy also includes the enlargement of areas and the implementation of climate -approved construction practices.

With a view to the future, innovative solutions are required: more green in cities, shady "climate oases" in an achievable proximity and the creation of powerful open space systems are just a few of the proposed measures. Cities like Jena already show how well-thought-out city tree concepts can contribute to climate adaptation and to upgrade roads and green areas.

In this regard, it remains to be seen how the cities in Baden-Württemberg react to the new challenge and whether they can meet the heat with a clever plan.