UFZ City Office
Hochwasser. Foto: André Künzelmann/UFZ
Climate change poses enormous challenges for cities around the world. Increasing extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and droughts not only affect residents, but also urban infrastructure and (water) resources. At the same time, cities are the largest consumers of global resources and therefore key players who need sustainable strategies and adaptation measures to cope with these challenges. Adaptation measures for dealing with heavy rainfall, for example, include both conventional infrastructural solutions such as sewer extensions and centralized systems as well as decentralized solutions such as nature-based, blue-green infrastructures (BGI). Many cities and municipalities are overwhelmed by the task of identifying, comparing and prioritizing suitable solution options - especially given the diverse local conditions and sometimes contradictory objectives. This often leads to strategies and plans being developed that do not always do justice to the urban challenges.
At the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ), we develop tools and methods for infrastructure planning as part of various research projects. These include scenario development, i.e. the assessment of different technically and spatially plausible solution sceanrios, spatial modeling and the estimation of the costs and effects of various solutions and scenarios. The aim of this preliminary infrastructure planning is to compare different solution approaches in order to ensure a scientifically sound selection process.
Dürre. Foto: André Künzelmann/UFZ
The UFZ City Office: Blue-green potentials for your city
The UFZ City Office applies the targeted use of scientific methods to support cities and municipalities in developing sustainable and knowledge-based strategies to tackle urban challenges in the wake of extreme weather events. Our long standing expertise is focused on blue-green infrastructures and offers links to other areas.
Our aim is to support cities in making informed, sustainable decisions - as a solid basis for further planning phases.
Our offer
Cooperation with all stakeholders
We apply a co-design process: in close cooperation with administration, specialist planners, politics and civil society, we develop viable, integrated solution scenarios.
Scenario development & preliminary planning
We develop technically and spatially plausible scenarios for the implementation of BGI - as a basis for decision-making for authorities, planning offices and project developers.
Modeling & evaluation
We use spatial modeling, impact analyses and cost estimates to evaluate the effects of various solutions, e.g. on heavy rainfall risks or irrigation requirements.
Potential maps & basis for decision-making
We visualize relevant potentials - whether for rainwater management or urban green spaces - and thus create a sound basis for decision-making.
Workshops & training courses
Practice-oriented training courses with specific case studies from real projects.
Are you a city or municipality that...
- ...is facing challenges from heavy rainfall or drought?
- ...is looking for solutions for sustainable urban development?
- ...would like to explore the blue-green potential of your city?
- ...wants to compare and strategically evaluate different scenarios?
- ...requires sound preliminary planning for the next steps in (planning) implementation?
Then we will be happy to support you.
Reach out to us - and help us shape the path to a climate-resilient city.