Sweat Relief: What Thuringian Towns are Doing to Beat the Heat
Thuringian municipalities' actions to combat heatwave conditions. - Thuringian Local Authorities' Heat Mitigation Efforts
Let's face it, summer's scorchers are on the horizon. The main cities of Erfurt, Gera, and Jena won't be caught off guard by the heat's challenges with their heat action plans.
In the heart of Erfurt, the so-called "heat hotline" is set to return from early June. City Hall will offer tips for coping with the sweltering temperatures daily, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Urgent heat warnings and tips will be posted on the city's web portal at www.erfurt.de/heat.
Since 2020, Erfurt has had its own heat action plan, and it's been shaping the city's urban design. The goal is simple: create more spaces for shade, greenery, and hydration stations in the cityscape. A map showing the location of all the city's water fountains can also be found on the heat center's webpage.
Jena, nestled in the Saale Valley basin, is acutely sensitive to heat. City officials have long been addressing this issue, and their efforts culminated in the approval of Jena's first heat action plan earlier this year. The plan features 35 initiatives, with immediate measures including the creation of cool spots, the installation of additional public water dispensers, and more public restrooms for the summer season. An elder support network will also help vulnerable seniors during extreme heat. A city "heat squad" will manage all the initiatives, while citizens are invited to contribute by reporting heat-prone spots to the city through their online fault reporting system.
Gera's heat action plan is still in development. The Health and Supply department already offers tips for dealing with the extreme heat on the city's website. A senior heat survival guide is also available. An interactive map reveals cool retreats in the city for those seeking relief from the summer heat.
A statewide heat action plan is anticipated by year's end. Representatives from municipalities, state departments, organizations, and associations convened at a kick-off meeting in September last year to discuss further action in the area. The Health and Environmental Ministries had previously developed a "heat toolkit" in 2023, a comprehensive document containing nearly 100 pages of concrete measures and funding opportunities for cities and towns to combat heat stress.
- Erfurt
- Gera
- Jena
- Heat Action Plan
- Thuringia
Insights:
A heat action plan generally includes measures designed to protect the public's health during heatwaves. Some common strategies include public awareness campaigns, establishing cooling spaces, adapting urban infrastructure, preparing healthcare facilities for heat-related illnesses, improving water management systems, and developing emergency response plans. For specific measures in Erfurt, Gera, and Jena, it's best to consult local government reports or official city websites to find detailed heat action plans tailored to each city's unique needs and climate conditions. The German Minister of Health, Prof. Karl Lauterbach, has been involved in discussions on heat stress protection, signaling a broader national focus on addressing heat-related health risks.
- The Thuringian town of Erfurt, with its heat action plan in place since 2020, is focusing on creating more shaded, green spaces and hydration stations within the city, providing a map of water fountains on its heat center's webpage.
- Jena, another Thuringian town, has recently approved its own heat action plan, which comprises 35 initiatives, including the creation of cool spots, installation of additional public water dispensers, and an elder support network for vulnerable seniors during extreme heat.
- Despite not yet having a fully developed heat action plan, Gera is already offering tips for coping with extreme heat on its website, along with a senior heat survival guide and an interactive map revealing cool retreats within the city.
