Better adaptation to summer heatwaves
ILS Research launches innovative climate adaptation project in Dortmund as part of the ICLEI Action Fund 2.0
The ICLEI Action Fund 2.0 launches two innovative data-driven climate adaptation projects in Dortmund. The “Data2Resilience” project, led by the Urban Climate Lab at the Ruhr University Bochum, and the “CATCH4D” project by ILS Research both use various data sources to implement sustainable and integrative climate adaptation measures. The initiatives, supported by ICLEI Europe with funding from Google.org, aim to strengthen Dortmund’s resilience to extreme summer heatwaves and increase the energy efficiency of buildings and urban spaces.
The “CATCH4D” project aims to develop a comprehensive three-dimensional thermographic model of the city of Dortmund. Innovative methods of laser scanning, thermography and remote sensing enable a detailed analysis of the energy performance of buildings and the extent of urban heat stress. Additional socio-economic data will also be used to identify areas potentially affected by energy poverty and groups of residents particularly affected by urban heat stress. The results of the data analysis will then be used to support climate adaptation measures in urban areas. The project is intended to generate direct benefits for vulnerable population groups that potentially have difficulties paying energy costs and/or suffer particularly from the effects of extreme heat. These groups will be offered targeted advice on reducing their energy consumption and adapting to summer heatwaves. Temporary measures are also planned to reduce heat stress in selected public places frequently frequented by affected groups.
Project manager Dr. Shaojuan Xu (ILS) emphasizes the project’s goal of making the topics of energy efficiency and heat stress visible and tangible for citizens: “Our 3D heat map makes the energy efficiency of buildings visible in a very intuitive way so that they can better prioritize and make faster decisions on the topic of energy refurbishment. Our data is freely and easily available to the various local stakeholders to support participatory and inclusive climate adaptation measures.”
