Without countermeasures, some German cities become increasingly vulnerable during hot spells Danger to people’s health. This is how the verdict of the so-called “Heat checks” from the German Environmental Aid (DUH) outside. The environmental protection organization analyzed 190 cities with more than 50 thousand inhabitants. It was about: The sealing with concrete and asphalt on one side and the proportion of green volume on the other.
According to the study, some cities in Germany are particularly isolated – including: Regensburg. The only city in Bavaria with a green traffic light is Landshut: with below-average waterproofing and an average amount of vegetation. Now Regensburg and Landshut have reacted to their performance.
Regensburg in the worst place
Regensburg had the third worst performance in Germany. Consequently, 54% of Regensburg’s area is isolated, while there is relatively little vegetation in the city. Regensburg ranks worst in Bavaria.
According to the city council, the city is aware of the high proportion of impermeable areas. The “urban compactness” has to do with the city’s medieval structure. A city spokeswoman also said that Regensburg was already implementing measures to better combat the heat.
City of Regensburg: Measures are underway
As part of the federal funding project KlaR – Climate Adaptation in Regensburg – Making Resilience Experienceable – the city aims to become more climate resilient. This also includes, for example, asking citizens how locations could be cooled. For example, through awnings or the elimination of parking spaces. The city did not mention any specific measures that have already been taken.
Landshut performed well in Bavaria
The city of Landshut ranks highest in Bavaria in the DUH heat test: only 44 percent of the area is sealed. According to the DUH, there is also good vegetation in the Lower Bavarian city.
At BR’s request, Landshut points out the large green areas to the east and west of the city. These are largely undeveloped and are partly used for agriculture.
DUH: Creating green islands in cities
In the DUH city ranking Bavaria is in a bad position overall. 24 cities in Germany are particularly isolated and at the same time have few green spaces. Ten of them are in Bavaria: Regensburg, Ingolstadt, Nuremberg, Schweinfurt, Fürth, Erlangen, Bamberg, Aschaffenburg, Rosenheim, Augsburg.
German Environmental Aid demands that lessons be learned from the study. For example, it is legally stipulated that schoolyards and playgrounds green with trees It needs to become. Or: The construction of existing buildings should have priority over new buildings. And above all, according to environmental aid, it is important to protect the centuries-old trees and green islands of cities.