Sizzling Sounds in Erfurt: City Leads the Heat Race in Thuringia
Intense Focus: Thuringia Town Experiences Particularly Severe Heatwave Impact
Concrete jungle, where heat's the king: In a sweltering check by the German Environmental Aid, Erfurt, Thuringia's capital, emerged as the hottest city.
By Simone Rothe
In a Nutshell
- Erfurt reigns as the city with the most heat spells in Thuringia.
- Erfurt's average summer midday heat, between 2021-2024, hits 35 degrees Celsius.
- Sealing in Erfurt reaches up to 45%.
- The German Environmental Aid calls for binding minimum green space requirements.
- Thuringia's cities respond to the heat crisis.
AI-generated Summary of the Article
Erfurt - Concrete jungle, where heat's the king: In a sweltering check by the German Environmental Aid, Erfurt, Thuringia's capital, emerged as the hottest city.
Home to approximately 215,000 residents, Erfurt earned a heat vulnerability index of 15.89 from the Environmental Aid. On average, the city saw a temperature of 35 degrees Celsius during the summer day's peak heat between 2021 and 2024.
Comparatively, Gera (index 14.41), Weimar (index 14.39), and Jena (index 14.38) had an average surface temperature of 34 degrees Celsius during the same period.
With sealing levels hovering around 45% in Erfurt, Gera follows closely with 40%. The remaining two cities have 37% sealing each. The index is calculated based on satellite data analysis, population data from the 2022 census, and annually collected area statistics.
Fear of the Fry: Enhanced Security Concept for Erfurt KrämerbrückefestThe German Environmental Aid (DUH) flags the concerning extent of urban sealing in German cities and demands compulsory minimum green spaces.
"It could protect inhabitants from perilous heat stress," DUH federal managing director Barbara Metz said while releasing the heat check.
Thuringia's Cities Respond to the Sizzling Heat
Several municipalities have acknowledged the heat issue and developed heat action plans. Erfurt, for instance, set up a "heat helpline" since June, offering advice to residents in hot weather. There will also be more drink stations and information about the city's watering holes.
In Jena, a network of support for isolated seniors during extreme summer heat is planned. A city heat team will oversee the measures. Gera is working on a heat action plan for the city. A state-wide heat action plan is due by the end of the year.
Only this week, the climate pact between the state and municipalities, in effect since 2022, was extended. This allows cities and communities to invest an additional 27 million euros in climate protection this year.
Featured Photo: Arne Dedert/dpa
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- 39-year-old joyride in Erfurt under the influence of substances yet again
Enrichment Data:
As per the most recent information available, no specific measures addressing urban heat stress caused by the urban heat island effect have been officially or peer-reviewed from documents related to Erfurt or other Thuringian cities. However, based on urban planning and climate adaptation practices in Germany, cities such as Erfurt are likely adopting a combination of the following strategies to combat heat stress:
Typical Heat-Redirecting Strategies in German Cities
Greening and Vegetation- Tree Planting: Boosting canopy coverage to provide shade and evaporative cooling.- Green Roofs and Walls: Encouraging installation on public and private buildings.- City Parks and Green Areas: Expanding and improving parks to reduce local temperatures.
Water Management- Water Features: Introducing fountains, ponds, and water channels for local cooling.- Rainwater Collection: Creating permeable surfaces to minimize heat buildup and boost groundwater recharge.
Urban Planning and Design- Cool Pavements: Utilizing materials with higher albedo or permeable surfaces to reflect more sunlight.- Climate-Friendly Building Designs: Encouraging passive cooling methods and reducing heat emissions from buildings.
Community and Policy Initiatives- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public on heat risks and mitigation measures.- Heat Emergency Action Plans: Establishing heat action plans for the protection of vulnerable populations during excessive heat episodes.
Although these strategies are widely adopted in urban planning across Germany, detailed, current data on Erfurt and other Thuringian cities are not found in the existing search results. Consulting the respective municipal government's official websites or reports would provide precise, local information on the implemented heat mitigation measures.
- The German Environmental Aid emphasizes the need for compulsory minimum green spaces in cities like Erfurt to mitigate dangerous heat stress, as greening and vegetation can provide shade and evaporative cooling.
- In response to the heat crisis, Erfurt has implemented a heat helpline, offering advice to residents during hot weather, and plans to increase the number of drink stations and provide information about the city's watering holes, demonstrating the importance of water management in addressing urban heat islands.
