Green roofs, trees and open streams: the District Chairman of the Federal Nature Conservation Association explains how climate protection works in settlement areas.
If cities functioned like giant sponges, sucking up rainwater and storing it before it went down the drain, it would be a viable means of tackling climate change. This is the concept of the “sponge city” that Christian Hierneis, spokesman for environmental policy for the Greens parliamentary group in the state parliament and district chairman of the Federal Nature Conservation Union, informed about in Neuried. The “Sponge City – The City of the Future” event was part of the “Climate Adaptation Now” lecture series by the local Greens.
The principle is based on keeping as much water as possible in the cities and thus mitigating the effects of dry and hot periods as well as heavy rain with high water and flooding. As many green spaces, trees, plants and green roofs as possible can act as such sponges. In addition, the disclosure of streams and separate sewage systems are considered important measures. As a positive side effect, habitats for plants and animals are created.
As an example of a successful contribution to the sponge city, Hierneis cited the plans for the development of the former Euro industrial park in the north of Munich. By building a multi-storey car park, for example, a large part of the asphalted area can be unsealed for parking spaces and at the same time new living space can be created.
The Neurieders themselves have already learned from mistakes. This was shown by Dieter Maier, climate protection officer and third mayor (Greens). Aspects of climate-adapted construction were not taken into account in the elementary school wing built in 2005. As a result, the classrooms overheat so much in summer that a fresh air system has to be installed later. According to Maier, however, various sponge city elements such as seepage troughs and green roofs are taken into account in the new development plan for the northern town center, where a residential area with shops is to be created.