Mitigating Heat Stress and Implementing Adaptation Measures in the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region

Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, leading to increased heat stress and posing a significant threat to the well-being of their inhabitants. Our study focuses on heat stress and implementing adaptation measures in the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region based on a specific development site. The collaborative study with VITO and BUUR was developed in cooperation with local stakeholders, taking their recommendations and priorities into account. We present a detailed analysis of the current climate challenges faced by the region and propose a range of recommendations for urban planning and community engagement.

The region is experiencing a rise in extreme heat events due to climate change. Taking the demographic trends into account, a growing share of the population will be 60+ years in 2040, further increasing the vulnerability to heat stress. With a high-resolution urban climate model, we analyze the exposure to heat stress for different climate futures based on a case study in the district of Pankow where the local government plans to build a school, sports grounds and residential buildings. The analysis considers urbanization patterns, cooling effects of vegetation and shadow, to draw conclusions on the exposure to heat stress for 3 different building plans.

We show that urban planners should prioritize green infrastructure to mitigate the urban heat island effect and guarantee the availability of cool areas for the population. Through a holistic approach considering different variables such as climate change, public health, social cohesion and biodiversity, the study showcases that including adaptation to climate change in urban planning can have multiple co-benefits.

The findings serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders in the Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan Region and beyond. It provides a roadmap for addressing the immediate and long-term challenges posed by heat stress and offers actionable recommendations to enhance climate resilience.