On February 19, 2021, the third informal workshop on the topic "Making built-up areas climate-friendly! How must developed areas be designed so that they contribute to climate protection and climate change adaptation?" took place.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the dialog was held virtually via Zoom conference this time. Around 60 representatives from research and administration took part to discuss the above-mentioned topic and exchange information. After brief welcoming remarks by Ingmar Höbarth (Climate and Energy Fund), Nora Mitterböck (BMK) and Simon Tschannett (CCCA Board Member, weatherpark GmbH), the dialog began with two short kick-off presentations by scientists with relevant expertise. On the one hand, Dr. Bernhard Scharf from the Institute of Engineering Biology and Landscaping at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences gave an informative lecture on the topic of "Soil - water - plant interactions". This was followed by Dr. Tanja Tötzer from the Center for Energy at the Austrian Institute of Technology, who provided a framework for the topic of "Planning climate resilience from urban regions to districts".
The participants were then able to exchange ideas and network in moderated small groups. The following questions were discussed:
- What challenges do you face in the field of soil sealing and climate change?
- What relevant research results are already available or what expertise is already directly accessible? On which topics and for which needs does the administration require input from research?
- What steps can be taken in the short/long term? What is needed for this?
Conclusion
Final round and reflection - What would I like to continue working on? What would I like to see?
Administration:
- Strengthen future-oriented initiatives from the population
- Trees in the street - correct placement - where?
- Raise awareness at municipal level
- Enforce legal framework conditions for climate change adaptation
- Improve the concrete implementation of measures! (There are enough strategies and goals!)
- Integral neighborhood planning
- One tree for every new building project
- Political will: climate as a transformation issue by design, not disaster
- Project creation for the greening of the town square
Science:
- Long-term availability and regular updates of data for science, decision-makers and the interested public
- Research contribution on the use of plants in open street spaces
- Funds for relevant research projects in the future too
- Better evaluation of projects already implemented
- Survey of stakeholders in cities and scientific experts on the topic of resilience in urban and regional development
- Socio-economic impact assessment of climate change (costs, health impacts, comfort, etc.)
- Climate protection through soil protection, soil management, recycling of organic material, deep-rooted plants
- Interdisciplinary approaches as a prerequisite for urban climate assessments
Translation work and networking:
- Assistance for practitioners in finding suitable expert groups
- Science-supported communication that is fit for the future
- Interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge between all stakeholders
- Promoting exchange and networking
- Better coordination and networking between the various decision-makers
- Better preparation of scientific foundations, initiate more cooperation and exchange in relation to implementation with decision-makers
You can find the video recording of kick-off presentations & foto gallery here!