Publications/press
Handbook (german): Planning coupled blue-green infrastructures
The handbook for the Leipzig BlauGrün project can be found here.
City of Leipzig Report: Water-Sensitive Urban Development in Leipzig
You can read the City of Leipzig report here (24.5 MB) .
Quick access to already published results from Phase I and Phase II can be found directly below. Our online media coverage is located here.
Presentations
- Reese, M., The legal framework for blue-green urban development in Germany – what do we have, what do we need, presentation at the annual conference of the Dutch Jus Commune, Utrecht
- Reese, M., Legal framework for blue-green urban development, presentation at the UBA expert conference Governance and Law of Blue-Green Urban Development on 5 and 6 September 2024 at Leipziger Kubus
- Reese, M., Legal framework conditions and options for action for blue-green urban development, presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Infrastructure Law on 21 November 2024 in Bremen
- Reese, M., Resilience through blue-green infrastructures – potentials, hurdles, perspectives, presentation at the expert conference of UFZ and vhw, “Urban Resilience – New Impulses for City and Neighborhood,” on 6 June 2024 in Leipzig
- Reese, M., Water-sensitive urban development – policy instruments for guiding the transformation, contribution to the DIFU seminar “Water-Sensitive Urban Development – Policy Instruments in Practice,” on 27/28 May 2024 in Berlin
- Reese, M., Legal questions of water-conscious urban development, presentation at the conference of the Institute for Water and Energy Law, University of Bonn, “Legal Questions of Adapting Water Management to Climate Change,” on 28 and 29 February 2024 in Bonn
- Hüesker, Frank (UFZ), Wehmeier, Sophie (City of Leipzig), Böttger, Stefan (Tilia): Decentralization of public services through blue-green-red infrastructures, on 13 October 2023 in Berlin at the Renewable Energies Research Association (FVEE)
- Müller, Roland; Hüesker, Frank: Blue-Green Urban Development, presentation at the 15th Urban Green Symposium of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on 12 November 2025 in Berlin (publication forthcoming)
Publications
- Müller, Roland; Hüesker, Frank (2025): Water-sensitive urban development for urban climate adaptation: Blue-green infrastructures in Leipzig, Europa Kommunal 6/2025
- Reese, M., Sustainable stormwater management and water-sensitive urban development – legal framework and need for reform (paid), Deutsches Verwaltungsblatt (DVBl.), 2025, pp. 335–343
- Klauer, B.; Reese, M.; Klassert, Ch., Drought management – Deficits in German water law (paid), Wasserwirtschaft 9/2024, pp. 48–53
- Reese, M.; Hüesker, F.; Wehmeier, S., Urban resilience through blue-green infrastructures – challenges and perspectives, vhw Forum Wohnen und Stadtentwicklung, 6/2024, pp. 294–298
- Müller, Roland; Hüesker, Frank (2023): Leipzig creates blue-green infrastructures – climate-resilient urban development, DW 6/23
- Hüesker, F.; Böttcher, T.; Reese, M., Framework conditions for water-conscious urban development (paid), wwt Modernisierungsreport 2024/25, p. 8 ff.
- Streib, G.; Büttner, B.; Engelmann, P.; Gapp-Schmeling, K.; Grashof, K.; Hüesker, F.: Heat transition and energy-efficient renovation in neighborhoods, Accelerating the energy transition with research. Contributions to the FVEE Annual Conference 2024, Berlin, 08–09 October 2024
- Hüesker, F.; Wehmeier, S.; Böttger, T., Decentralization of public services through blue-green-red infrastructures: Considerations from the BMBF project Leipziger BlauGrün II – Research for a resilient energy system in times of global crises. Contributions to the FVEE Annual Conference 2023, Berlin, 10–11 October 2023
Interdisciplinary research initiatives as part of the project
CityTech – Technologies for Water and Heat Management in Urban Space
The "CityTech – Technologies for Water and Heat Management in Urban Space" project at UFZ focuses on innovative approaches to enhance water and energy efficiency in urban areas. It develops new technologies and methods that allow for a more sustainable design of city systems and more effective climate adaptation implementations.
The PhD-College CLEANER at UFZ is dedicated to interdisciplinary research focused on reducing environmental contaminants. The program supports doctoral students through networking and specialized workshops to develop innovative solutions for global challenges in environmental engineering.
Project-related publications from phase 2
Political and legal framework for blue-green infrastructures in German cities
This publication offers an in-depth analysis of the political and legal frameworks for implementing Blue-Green Infrastructures (BGI) in German cities. Authored by Dr. Frank Hüesker and Dr. Moritz Reese from the UFZ, the study examines the attitudes and priorities of German cities regarding urban climate adaptation through BGI. The results are based on a survey among member cities of the German Association of Cities, covering aspects such as existing legal obstacles, financial challenges, and the involvement of various municipal departments in BGI projects. Strategies and plans for blue-green urban development are also discussed, complemented by an analysis of the main drivers and barriers for BGI.
20.02.2023 Policy Paper "Urbane Wasserwende - Handlungsempfehlungen an die Bundespolitik"
This policy paper deals with the need to supplement traditional water infrastructures with innovative, blue-green solutions to enhance urban resilience against climate change. It provides recommendations for political, legal, and financial support of such infrastructures and advocates for improved coordination and research to promote sustainable urban water management in Germany.
Project-related publications from phase 1
The "Energy Toolbox" by Tilia GmbH offers a comprehensive overview of technologies in the fields of heating, electricity, and innovative blue-green solutions. Designed as a resource, it supports stakeholders in the energy sector and urban planning in identifying and implementing sustainable solution approaches. The toolbox serves as a practical guide for developing and implementing efficient energy projects in urban areas.
This research document, "Paths to a Drainage-Free Urban Quarter - Potential, Effects, and Legal Framework of Local Wastewater and Stormwater Management," presents comprehensive investigations into the possibilities and challenges of implementing decentralized stormwater management systems in urban areas. It evaluates technological options, legal frameworks, and economic aspects crucial for transforming urban sewage systems, with a special focus on the Leipzig city quarter as a case study. The report aims to promote sustainable water infrastructures and presents transferable solutions and methods for other municipalities.