Research projects

Urban green spaces are a key element of urban development in the face of tackling the severe impacts of climate change. Most recently, the COVID-19 demonstrated the contribution of urban green spaces to maintaining the health of urban populations.

The aim of the project is to update the guidelines set up in the 2012 study "Urbanes Grün in der integrierten Stadtentwicklung" published by the ILS in cooperation with Leibniz University Hannover. The current project emphasizes the most pressing topics in urban climate change adaption, like urban heat islands, heavy rainfalls and the decline of biodiversity.

The project not only explores governance practices, planning approaches and technical solutions to green the cities and adapt to climate change, but also takes into account new ways of participation, financing and maintenance. The project is carried out together with subcontractors of RWTH Aachen University.

An important part of the project work is collecting and systemizing best practice examples from Germany, Northrhine-Westfalia and abroad to show practical solutions for greening the city in times of climate change. Additionally, interviews will be conducted with experts from municipalities and/or associations to discuss the planning, procedural, and fiscal dimensions of the underlying implementation processes.