Heat alarm in Magdeburg and Halle: This is how we protect ourselves from the embers!

Heat alarm in Magdeburg and Halle: This is how we protect ourselves from the embers!

When the summer heat breaks over the cities, the temperatures are not only an issue, but also the health consequences that are associated with it. In cities like Magdeburg and Halle, current data show alarming trends that affect many citizens. According to the MDR 69% of the Magdeburger experienced and about 50% of the Halleers had a strong stress due to the heat. The situation in urban heat islands, where the temperatures are significantly above average, is particularly critical.

The role of nature and climate adaptation measures

Natural fresh air bars that bring cool air from the surrounding area to the cities play a crucial role in combating the heat. However, these unbaked, green areas are difficult to create in existing cities. In Magdeburg , for example, river runs such as the Elbe and Lakes are important cooling elements, while a similar function fulfill in halls. The Federal Environment Agency strongly recommends that existing fresh air bars to be obtained and not to build on to alleviate the negative influence of the city -specific heat.

In addition, a greening of roofs and facades as well as planting trees is of great importance. A single tree crown can evaporate up to 100,000 liters of water per year and therefore contributes significantly to cooling. But while there are clear recommendations and positive examples, analyzes show that there is a implementation deficit for climate adaptation measures. Who should bear the costs often remains unclear and many municipalities are on their own.

special challenges and solutions

cities like Hamburg have achieved pleasant temperatures through targeted measures without the use of air conditioning systems. With large treetops and shadow donors, the perceived temperature can be reduced by up to 10 Kelvin. In Cologne, according to the study of the Federal Environmental Office, it can be seen that there is an urgent need for more trees and shadow systems to increase the quality of life of the residents.

The urban heat island effect means that the temperatures in cities are often higher compared to the surrounding area, which is reinforced by floor sealing and a lack of greening. The need for such measures is not just a question of comfort, but a central concern for the health of the population. As the data also show, older people in particular are affected by the heat, which underlines the urgency of these measures.