Concrete as a climate caretry: This is how our city fights the heat waves!

Concrete as a climate caretry: This is how our city fights the heat waves!

In cities like Vienna, it is getting hotter - and not only since yesterday. Extreme heat and heat waves have long since become everyday life. This means not only an increasing risk of the health of the residents, but also that the quality of stay suffers outdoors. According to a report by meinzirk.at , the number of hot days in Vienna has doubled over the past 30 years. In addition to heat waves, there is another challenge: heavy rain events and storms increase due to climate change. These can lead to floods that strain the sewer networks in many cities like Vienna.

The building material concrete could be a decisive factor in this critical situation. Concrete has the ability to reflect sunlight and thus prevent overheating public places and roads. In addition, the use of light concrete paving stones enables local storage of rainwater, which contributes to the prevention of floods. The so -called sponge city principle, in which rainwater is led into the root room of trees, is increasingly used by cities to improve the climate. This not only promotes the growth of the trees, but also cools the microclimate. In Vienna, this principle is already successfully implemented in the Wolfganggasse city district in Meidling.

climate change meets urban life

The challenges of climate change are enormous. According to the EEA , the risks that are caused by climate change are increased, especially in urban areas. Because about three quarters of the European population lives in cities. These areas are susceptible to heat waves, floods and other climatic extremes. The so -called urban heat island, triggered by artificial surfaces and buildings, helps to ensure that temperatures in urban rooms are significantly higher than in rural areas.

In order to counter these challenges, the federal government has developed the German adaptation strategy to climate change. This strategy offers a political framework for cross -sectors adaptation to the upcoming climatic changes. Progress reports describe how measures are implemented and what challenges continue to exist. Rainwater management plays a central role in this. The German Association for Water Management, Wastewater and Waste has gained knowledge and demands active change in the water process in urban development.

future urban planning

An effective concept for improving urban resilience against climate change could be in the integration of green infrastructure. Research projects develop strategies for planning and implementing these elements in cities in order to increase the quality of life and to be able to react better to the climatic challenges. The idea of ​​the sponge city principle plays a central role. Due to the targeted design of urban areas with infiltrate materials, not only can the local microclimate be regulated, but an active contribution to climate protection is also made.

The future of urban rooms is therefore in close interactions with the climate. It is important to show a good hand in planning and implementing appropriate measures in order to secure individual quality of life in cities such as Vienna. The challenge is great, but with clever solutions, such as the use of concrete and the sponge city idea, it could be possible to stand up to climate change.