Cologne at the limit: Politics demands immediate stop of the area sealing!

Der BUND Köln fordert einen Strategiewechsel zur Reduzierung des Flächenverbrauchs in Esch/Auweiler, angesichts steigender Temperaturen.
The BUND Cologne calls for a change of strategy to reduce area consumption in Esch/Auweiler, in the face of rising temperatures. (Symbolbild/MK)

Cologne at the limit: Politics demands immediate stop of the area sealing!

Esch/Auweiler, Deutschland - The persistent heat wave with temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius forces politics and administration in Cologne to act. The BUND district group Cologne has formulated clear demands in order to effectively counter the consequences of climate change. A change of strategy in urban development is required to stop the soil and area consumption to zero net by 2030. These measures are urgent to continue to ensure a city worth living and to minimize the consequences of the excessive area sealing.

The federal government sees the planned new districts, such as the Kreuzfeld project with over 80 hectares, as well as the settlement extensions in Zündorf-Süd and other districts. The federal government warns that the already high surface sealing results in the loss of cold air ranges and could thus further tighten the urban heat islands. A comprehensive re -evaluation of land use is essential.

demands for reducing space

In order to meet the requirements for living space and at the same time climate protection, the federal government suggests that the focus on already used areas. This includes the renovation of existing housing stocks and the increase in living rooms on existing buildings. In addition, the development of areas that are currently used for retail and parking spaces is considered a sensible measure. In addition, municipal apartment exchanges should be used to better exploit the living space.

Currently around 52 hectares of settlement and traffic area are currently being converted every day in Germany, which increases the concerns about the area sealing. In view of the increasing temperatures in the cities, which are due to the sealing and development, the risk of flooding due to heavy rain also increases. Experts point out that the original goals for reducing space consumption, which had planned to reduce 30 hectares a day until 2020, were now postponed to 2030. This gives the pressure on the municipalities greater than ever to find sustainable solutions.

find new ways

For sustainable urban planning, however, not only new construction areas, but also creative approaches to improve the city climate is required. Grundächer, building greening and the distasions of areas could help to improve the microclimate in the city sustainably. Students and urban planners are faced with the challenge of promoting the construction of apartments and integrating environmentally friendly measures.

In view of the changes described as "rather likely", such as the increasing temperatures and extreme weather conditions, the adaptation to climate change in urban rooms is indispensable. A focus should be on improving existing infrastructures. The multifunctionality of open areas, parks and gardens could also help promote biodiversity and prevent excessive heating of the city.

The federal government finally emphasizes that climate protection and the need for affordable living space must not exclude each other. A predicting planning that looks at all aspects of urbanization is required to meet the challenges of the future. The signs of the time are clear: it is important to act now to keep Cologne as a city worth living in.

BUND Cologne reports that ... The area sealing is a major challenge for sustainability and environmental protection in Germany, as well as Deutschlandfunk notes . The . . . . .

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OrtEsch/Auweiler, Deutschland
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