In a cooperative effort to counteract the growing effects of climate change, scientific teams from Ruhr-Universität Bochum and Leibniz Universität Hannover have launched the project Data2Resilience. The project, led by Prof. Benjamin Bechtel from RUB and Prof. Christian Albert from Hannover, is designed to help Dortmund and its residents to protect themselves against the increasing impacts of extreme heat.

Addressing the Climate Crisis

The project’s primary goal is to enhance Dortmund’s resilience to heatwaves, which have become more frequent and severe due to climate change. Extreme heat not only disrupts daily life but also poses significant threats to both physical and mental health. To combat this, Dortmund has adopted a climate adaptation plan known as Masterplan integrierte Klimafolgenanpassung (MiKaDo)— an action framework aimed at improving heat resilience across the city. Data2Resilience serves as a crucial support system for this plan, helping to ensure that it achieves its intended objective.

Innovative Heat Monitoring

One of the hallmarks of the project is its cutting-edge approach to monitoring thermal comfort. A biometeorological sensor network has been installed throughout Dortmund, complemented by a digital dashboard that provides real-time data on thermal conditions. Unlike traditional weather monitoring, this system uses a black sphere equipped with sensors to track temperature, humidity, and radiation levels, thus offering a more comprehensive assessment of heat impacts in Dortmund.

The gathered data allows researchers to map out the distribution of hot weather across Dortmund and identify areas most vulnerable to heat stress. Remote sensing technology and climate modeling are also employed to better understand the city’s heat patterns, providing insights into where interventions are most needed.

Supporting Dortmund’s Smart City Vision

Data2Resilience aligns with Dortmund’s broader Smart City strategy which focuses on enhancing quality of life in the city through the integration of technology. By incorporating the data gathered by the project into urban planning, the initiative not only supports Dortmund’s climate adaptation goals but also promotes the development of a more sustainable urban environment.

Engaging the Community

City planners, local government officials, and citizens are actively engaged in the Data2Resilience project. A variety of activities are planned to foster collaboration and raise awareness about heat resilience. These include climate comfort labs (interactive booths designed to facilitate public discussion on climate adaptation); sensation walks designed to help citizens experience and understand varying heat conditions; crowd bike campaigns to collect additional environmental data; and workshops that offer strategies to cope with the situation. 

Get Involved

Dortmund residents are encouraged to get involved in Data2Resilience through various engagement opportunities. Detailed information about the project, ongoing activities, and how to participate can be found on the project’s homepage at data2resilience.de. The team can also be reached via their social media presence on  X (https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FRUBclim).

Through its innovative approach and commitment to community engagement, Data2Resilience positions Dortmund well in urban heat resilience, offering a blueprint for other cities facing similar challenges.

   :Jenefer Selvarajah