Heat wave hits Hildesheim – red card for the city!

Heat wave hits Hildesheim – red card for the city!

German cities are extremely hot when it comes to heat! The current heat check by German Environmental Aid (DUH) shows that over twelve million people in urban areas suffer from extreme temperatures. The study, which has already targeted 190 cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, is using a “heat impact index” for the first time. This takes factors such as high temperatures, dense sealing and insufficient green spaces into account to assess the heat load within communities. 31 cities received a red card, 131 a yellow card and 28 even a green card. The city of Hildesheim is particularly suffering, reaching the top of the negative list with an average temperature of 36 degrees, 48% sealed area and a green area of ​​only 3%.

What is it like in the north? There is good news in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: The cities of Greifswald, Schwerin, Rostock and Stralsund only received a yellow card in the heat check. Hanover, with a sealed area of ​​46% and a green area of ​​3.6%, is also in the middle range. Encouraging news, as the north has gotten away a little compared to other German regions. Here, average surface temperatures in the summer months are generally lower than in the southwest. Hamburg, for example, received a green card with more than 41% sealed area, but the city still has a green area of ​​3.8%.

Green cities – a must for the future

But the DUH urges us to hurry: Sealing inner cities is a big problem. Many municipalities urgently need to consider minimum legal requirements for green spaces in order to improve the urban climate. In addition to urban heat islands, it is the recommendations of the Federal Environment Agency that should not be ignored. These recommend compact rented housing, conversion to car-friendly cities, and better networking through cycle paths and public transport routes. A city that takes a step forward in terms of sustainability will significantly reduce CO2 emissions - after all, cities are responsible for over 70% of these emissions.

A sensitive approach to green spaces is essential: cities are not only responsible for climate change, but are also particularly badly affected by it. Measures such as the creation and preservation of green and water areas, improving the quality of life in city centers and protecting quiet residential areas should be given top priority in the future. These approaches are essential to meet the challenges of climate change and maintain the quality of life in cities.

Healthy air for everyone – together against the heat

It is therefore time for citizens to actively participate in urban planning so that tailor-made solutions can be found that promote both quality of life and environmental awareness. Parties and planners should leave no stone unturned to make urban spaces livable for future generations. Let's create a greener, cooler and more beautiful city together - there's certainly something close to our hearts in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!

Sources: Sat1Regional, YOU H, Knowledge creates climate.