Heat is difficult to absorb
At the same time, according to meteorologist Ziemann, there are no wells, streams, ponds or rivers. All of these factors make it difficult to absorb the heat. “The Elbe meadows in Dresden are much cooler, but the cool air has little chance of penetrating the city. Cold air falls downwards, so you would need a slope and the right air corridors so that the cool air can flow from the Elbe meadows into the city.”
“Cold air corridors must be guaranteed,” explains Christoph Schünemann, a physicist at the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban Development (IOER) in Dresden. “In Dresden, for example, the cold air corridors are in Gorbitz and run along Kesselsdorfer Straße; the Dresdner Südhöhe is also important. Every slope that is not built on and brings cold air is worth its weight in gold.”
Every slope that is not built on and brings cold air is worth its weight in gold.
Dr. Christoph Schünemann
Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden
What is Dresden against the heat? Keyword drinking fountain
Dresden currently operates ten drinking fountains in public spaces. An eleventh drinking fountain at Trachenberger Platz is currently being completed. Dresden is currently examining three new locations at Martin-Luther-Platz, Schillerplatz and Jorge-Gomondai-Platz. The city also wants to build more drinking fountains as part of larger construction projects such as the renovation of Königsbrücker Straße.
Drinking water fountains can be found at Alaunplatz, Bönischplatz in Johannstadt, Lignerallee, Neumarkt and Postplatz. A complete overview is available hereAt the same time, Dresden cooperates with many institutions as well as pubs and cafés to refill drinking bottles. Here Every passerby can easily refill their water bottles.
Baden: When will the outdoor pools finally open longer?
Free and inexpensive opportunities to cool off and swim are a priority in many cities. “We have already opened the Georg Arnhold outdoor pool until 9 p.m. every day during our season. We cannot ensure that the opening times of other outdoor pools can be extended due to staffing issues,” says sports mayor Jan Donhauser.
The entrance fees in Dresden are “very reasonable” compared to the rest of Germany, especially for children. The bathing areas in Weixdorf and Weißig can be used free of charge.
How many trees does Dresden plant to protect against the heat?
Since November, Paris has planted 25,000 trees in the city to provide shade. Leipzig is also planting 1,000 additional street trees. “The perceived temperature between a tree’s shadow and a sunny area differs by around ten degrees Celsius,” says TU meteorologist Ziemann.
“It is extremely important to take a close look at tree felling. It often takes decades for a large tree to become effective. Planning replacements outside of the hotspots is of little help. We should treat our trees like jewels. And also think about meadows.” It is no longer responsible to fell fully grown trees.
We should treat our trees like jewels. It is no longer responsible to cut down fully grown trees.
Astrid Ziemann
TU Dresden Weather Forecast
Dresden is not planning any new trees for heat protection. On the contrary, the number of trees in Dresden is continuously decreasing. In 2023, 876 trees were felled in public spaces. However, only 830 new trees were planted, which is a loss of 46 trees. In addition, there are losses on building plots; on the construction site in the Gleisdreieck behind Dresden-Neustadt station alone, according to the development plan, 122 fully grown trees were felled, mostly on the edge of the property.
Over 30 degrees in the patient room: What is the municipal hospital doing?
According to the city, the municipal hospital relies primarily on external blinds and ventilation systems. Particularly sensitive areas such as operating rooms, intensive care units and the emergency room are air-conditioned. In order to avoid high temperatures in buildings with large windows, the hospital is currently examining the possibility of retrofitting thermal protection films on the windows of the nursing stations. At the same time, it has installed exhaust air cooling and sun protection during renovations (House R, House N at the Friedrichstadt location). In Houses C and K, attention was paid to sustainable and energy-efficient construction.
Exhaust air cooling and external thermal insulation were also installed at the Neustadt site. Since 2023, two climate managers have been taking care of a good climate in the truest sense of the word. “In addition, the clinic was able to obtain 1.9 million in federal funding to upgrade the Friedrichstadt hospital park as a green centerpiece,” explains the city.
In Paris, all schoolyards are being greened. Is this also planned for Dresden?
Education Mayor Jan Donhauser explains to MDR SACHSEN: “Schoolyards in Dresden will also be greened and unsealed wherever possible.” This can be implemented more easily in new buildings and renovations than in existing buildings. “Nevertheless, we are focusing on unsealing, greening and shading small areas to counteract the heat,” said Donhauser. Greening and shading have become key issues for the school authority and will be implemented “if there are funds available.” In addition, almost every school now has a drinking fountain.
