Brothers in Arms: Thuringia's Cities Arm Against the Scorching Summer
Exploring heat-resistance initiatives within Thuringian communities - Thuringian local authorities implementing strategies to combat heat.
Summer's steamy days are knocking at our door, and the major Thuringian cities - Erfurt, Gera, and Jena - are gearing up to tackle the heat with aplomb. Here's a lowdown on their battle plans against the burning sun.
Erfurt: Heatline is Back in Town
The city administration's on-call heat helpline, affectionately dubbed the "heatline," is back from June onwards. Operating weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00, the heatline offers battle-tested tactics to combat extreme heat. Acute heat alerts and heat tips are available on the city's web portal at www.erfurt.de/heat.
Erfurt has played defense since 2020 with its heat action plan, incorporating the strategy into urban planning for a greener and cooler future. Shade islands, green spaces, and drinking fountains are finding a hospitable space in the cityscape, while a map detailing the city's drinking fountains and fountains can be found on the heatline portal.
Jena: Heat Foe in the Saale Valley
Jena's location in the Saale valley makes it a champion heat adversary. The city has been battling the heat for years, developing a "greening strategy" among its arsenal.
Recently, the first heat action plan for Jena has been approved by the city council. A concoction of 35 measures is awaiting implementation, including the establishment of cooled-down sanctuaries and more water dispensers in public areas, as well as additional summer-ready public toilets. A heat support network is set in motion to aid vulnerable, lonely seniors during heatwave seasons. A crack squad of Jena heroes, known as the "heat team," will oversee the execution of these heat-busting measures. The citizens of Jena are encouraged to help the cause by reporting any notoriously sweltering spots to the city via its online fault reporter.
Gera: Heat Action Plan in Progress
Gera is also in the thick of the heat action plan conversation. Currently, the health and supply department offers tips on beating the heat on the city administration website. Soon, a heat action plan will be seeing daylight, with a guide for seniors dealing with heat and an interactive map highlighting cool refuges in the city on tap.
A Statewide Heat Action Plan: En route
Thuringia is readying a statewide heat action plan by the end of this year. At a preliminary gathering on the subject back in September 2022, municipalities, state authorities, associations, and organizations dove headfirst into discussions on the next steps. Germany has already developed a "heat toolbox" in 2023 - a comprehensive guide packed with heat-busting measures and funding opportunities for cities and towns aimed at combating heat.
- Erfurt
- Gera
- Jena
- Heat Action Plan
- Thuringia
- In addition to city-specific measures, Thuringia is drafting a statewide 'Heat Action Plan' that aims to provide a comprehensive guide for all cities, such as Erfurt, Gera, and Jena.
- Science and environmental-science will play crucial roles in the development of the statewide 'Heat Action Plan', as well as local heat action plans in cities like Erfurt and Jena, to ensure effective strategies for addressing climate-change related heatwaves.
- Employment policies could also be implemented across Thuringia to facilitate the creation and maintenance of urban green spaces, such as shade islands and cooling sanctuaries, as part of local heat action plans, promoting a health-and-wellness lifestyle and reducing heat-related health risks in the community.
