Living with Climate Change
Rising temperatures, heat waves and droughts or heavy rain and storms - the effects of climate change have also begun to affect Germany. Cities and municipalities must therefore develop measures to prevent the consequences of climate change.
The truth can no longer be denied: climate change and its consequences also have reached Düsseldorf and will only intensify in the future. Therefore, there is an increasingly important topic on the agenda of politicians as well as the Office for Environmental and Consumer Protection: climate change adaptation. This refers to initiatives and measures to protect nature and people from actual or expected effects of climate change.
Andreas Schröder, member of the council of the state capital Düsseldorf for the CDU and, among other things, spokesperson of the Committee for Environmental Protection, places a focus on this in his political work. “The flood in July 2021 showed that Düsseldorf is not yet sufficiently protected for disaster scenarios.”
The Environmental Office of the City of Düsseldorf also reacted and set up the Department of Municipal Climate Management a few years ago. Stefan Wenzel, head of department, and his colleague Elke Cardeneo develop measures here to deal with the unavoidable consequences of climate change; in 2018 they launched a comprehensive climate adaptation concept.
Together with the German Weather Service, the Department of Municipal Climate Management was able to narrow down three problems for the region: periods of heat and a creeping increase in temperature, which has far-reaching consequences for animal and plant life in particular, increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events, as well as drought and shifts in precipitation. “Düsseldorf has unfortunately already reached the 1.5 degree climate target,” says Stefan Wenzel.
Projects for renaturalisation are at the top of the agenda of the Office for Environmental Protection as well as the local government. This includes, for example, the development of the banks of the river Düssel.
„It is enormously important to learn from other cities like our climate twin Toulouse. “
A project has been launched across Europe to identify and bring together “climatic twin cities”. “According to studies by the German Weather Service, by the end of the century we will have the same temperature conditions as Toulouse in southern France is currently experiencing,” explains Elke Cardeneo. “Therefore, we can already learn how to live with it now.” This includes how to deal properly with insects like the tiger mosquito, which has come to France from the African continent. “We should not wait until this mosquito and other species will be here too, but start taking measures now,” says Stefan Wenzel. “That is why we have started mapping mosquitoes: when do they start appearing, when do we need to start countermeasures?”
Toulouse is the “climate twin” of Düsseldorf: according to studies by the German Meteorological Service, by the end of the century Düsseldorf will have the same weather conditions as the south of France at present.
In total, the climate adaptation concept of the city of Düsseldorf contains 15 measures. These include heavy rainfall hazard maps, but also climate analyses defining heat zones within the city. “These analytical measures are enormously important in terms of prevention. For this, we work together with external offices that have the necessary expertise,” says Elke Cardeneo. Another point included in the concept are green roofs, for which the city of Düsseldorf has even launched funding programmes.
Renaturalisation measures such as the development of the banks of the Düssel, which not only increases the quality of stay and biodiversity, but also provides effective protection against flooding, make sense on several levels. Politicians also support the city’s climate adaptation concept. “In addition, we want to install water sprinklers, sources of shade and more trees in public spaces. They have important functions for the local climate. We want to create vegetation in more front gardens and car parks covered with gravel. Adapting the front garden bylaws is under consideration, but encroaching on private property is difficult. At the moment, we are focusing on information, advice and incentives,” says Andreas Schröder. The need for such measures is becoming more obvious. “More storms, floods or droughts with heat stress are coming our way.”
An important instrument for climate adaptation is the planting of greenery in more inner city areas. Green havens like the Hofgarten lower the city climate and act as a sponge in case of heavy rainfall.
With the model project “Sponge City”, the city of Düsseldorf is trying to compensate for several climate impacts at once. This is done primarily through larger tree grates or increasing the amount of greenery on roofs, in outdoor areas or courtyard spaces. “Sponge city means creating many areas where water can stay without flowing into the canal. This water is then also available for cooling in the summer,” says Elke Cardeneo. Green Architecture also works with the sponge principle, as green facades and roofs can absorb and store rainwater. A showpiece in this context is Köbogen 2 by architect Christoph Ingenhoven. “By planting hornbeams, the building’s cooling can be reduced quite considerably. In comparison: Köbogen 2 heats up to 35 degrees in midsummer, while on the roof of the Dreischeibenhaus the temperature can be as high as 75 degrees, which is a big difference. Cooling is very electricity- and water-intensive,” explains Stefan Wenzel. That’s why they are increasingly advising investors on topics like climate adaptation measures or electromobility, so that they can include such aspects in their planning at a very early stage.
Courtyard and roof greenery contribute to urban climate improvement on several levels. They also promote biodiversity and species diversity.
“So the change in thinking has to be implemented in urban planning as well.”
“It is enormously important to learn from other cities like our climate twin Toulouse. There, many measures are already being implemented that are perceived as a given or even considered particularly beautiful in the south, such as white facades to reflect the sunlight or narrow alleys so that the houses stay cool during the day. We also have to plan such shade structures, plan arcades, install sun sails. So the change in thinking has to be implemented in urban planning as well.” This is a great opportunity for the economy, he said. “Climate adaptation always includes so-called no-regret measures, which usually improve the quality of life and stay - for employees as well as customers,” adds Elke Cardeneo. After all, the provision of dispensers for drinking water in a shop can certainly be a climate adaptation measure.
Politicians also see the great need to involve businesses in climate issues. “Business is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in Düsseldorf. It accounts for almost 40% of CO2 emissions. The CDU sees great leverage here to effectively achieve environmental and climate protection. Düsseldorf’s business community also seems to be open-minded when it comes to climate protection,” Andreas Schröder is certain. •
Words Katja Vaders
Pictures iStock, Fabian Weiss, iStock, Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf