Erfurt in the heat check: Alarming values ​​for the Thuringian state capital!

Erfurt in the heat check: Alarming values ​​for the Thuringian state capital!

Erfurt is the focus of the latest analysis of heat stress in German cities. According to a heat check by German Environmental Aid (DUH), the Thuringian capital received a yellow rating, which means that the city is in the middle of 190 tested cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. However, with a heat impact index of 15.89, Erfurt has the highest heat stress in Thuringia, which is due to numerous sealed areas and insufficient urban greenery. In comparison, cities such as Gera, Weimar and Jena have lower indices of 14.41, 14.39 and 14.38, while temperatures in these cities also average 34 degrees Celsius. In Erfurt itself, temperatures will fluctuate on average around 35 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2024.

The high sealing rate of almost 45 percent in Erfurt is particularly worrying. This represents a significant problem because sealed surfaces make water infiltration and natural cooling impossible. A look at the neighboring cities shows that Gera with 40 percent and both Jena and Weimar with 37 percent each are also not far behind. As part of this study, the heat index is based on satellite data, population figures and official area statistics, which provides a comprehensive picture of urban heat development.

The dangers of the heat and measures taken by the city

German Environmental Aid points out that around 3,000 people in Germany die every year as a result of extreme heat stress. Raising awareness of the dangers posed by high temperatures is therefore essential. Thuringia's state government and municipalities have already taken measures to address these challenges. As part of the extended climate pact, 27 million euros were made available for climate protection investments. This also includes the development of municipal heat action plans.

Erfurt has already set up a “heat hotline” to offer support to affected citizens and is planning to set up more drinking fountains in the city center. Jena, on the other hand, focuses on supporting particularly vulnerable groups, such as older people living alone, in extreme heat. Gera is also working on a municipal heat action plan to actively address the dangers of heat.

• Hitze-Betroffenheits-Index von Erfurt: 15,89
• Höchste Versiegelung in Thüringen: knapp 45%
• Durchschnittliche Temperaturen in Erfurt (2021-2024): 35 Grad Celsius
• Jährliche Hitzetote in Deutschland: etwa 3.000

In a nationwide comparison, Erfurt stands out due to its high heat load, while cities such as Hattingen, Gummersbach and Witten do better in the evaluation due to their extensive green spaces. In order to improve the situation, the DUH is calling for minimum legal requirements for green spaces and is advocating that many urban areas, such as schoolyards, be greened again.

Heat stress is an urgent problem that not only affects Erfurt, but also many other German cities. The analysis highlights the need to implement other concepts to cool urban spaces, such as the creation of “sponge cities” that allow better water absorption and evaporation. In this way, we can use the positive effects of green spaces in the long term to give our cities a more pleasant climate.

For more information on the results of this year's heat check, you can read the full reports from Thüringen24, DUH and Tagesschau here: Thuringia24, YOU H, and daily news.