Climate change: Healthy urban design in the focus of Berlin workshop!

Climate change: Healthy urban design in the focus of Berlin workshop!

Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Deutschland - On June 11, 2025, a workshop of the EU research project U-Care will take place in the Berlin Stadtwerkstatt, which will be held on June 13, 2025. The aim of the project is to design cities under the urgent conditions of climate change, especially in the context of the urban environment. According to TU Berlin , the workshop will include a detailed case study for the Bötzowviertel in the Prenzlauer Berg district.

The basis for this workshop forms thermographic and spatial data that was collected in summer 2024. This data collection included various environmental factors such as surface temperatures, shading and pedestrian friendliness. The routes for the data survey led to about one kilometer long footpaths, which are often used by residents, especially vulnerable groups. Hitzestress is a considerable danger in urban areas, especially for older people, children and socially disadvantaged groups.

measures for urban design

In order to address the challenges of climate change, a number of measures for the climate -adapted urban design were proposed. This includes planting trees, creating water surfaces, the removal of surfaces and targeted shading strategies. The urban methodology, a practice-oriented and evidence-based approach to planning and designing public spaces, is considered an essential component. The participants of the workshop work in interdisciplinary small groups to analyze environmental problems and their influence on the quality of life.

Special attention is paid to everyday places such as bus stops, road crossings and entrances to facilities. The results of the workshop are intended to incorporate into ongoing research and urban development strategies. The U-Care project is funded by Erasmus+ and has committed itself to the development of transferable solutions for healthy, fair and climate-silent urban development. The urban methodology is currently being used in four European cities: Gothenburg, Berlin, Florence and Nicosia. Interested parties can register by email to participate in the workshop.

Health and social inequality in the urban context

The topic of climate change has become more important at an international level. According to Uni Flensburg , climate protection with global environmental changes and extreme weather events is a central concern of the political agenda. A social science perspective that complements the natural and engineering perspectives is crucial to understand the social causes of climate change.

The analysis of climate change often concentrates on physical causes and often neglects how social inequalities can increase the effects of climate change. These inequalities are taken into account in urban planning by taking specific measures to improve the living conditions of disadvantaged groups. This happens taking into account the carbon accounting and the application of market economy instruments that reflect the regional consequences of emission reductions.

Overall, the commitment of the U-Care project shows that an integrative approach to urban design is not only necessary, but also possible to ensure sustainable and healthy urban future.