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Odenwaldstraße will become part of a Hesse-wide pilot project
The district town of Groß-Gerau is one of six Hessian municipalities selected for a pilot project on climate-adaptive design of industrial parks. The aim is to adapt existing industrial areas to climate change and make them more resilient to extreme weather events.
The project is part of the EU funding program "IB-Green: Industrial and Commercial Areas – Climate Resilient and Fit for the Future" . The funding covers the consulting and planning costs for an external planning office. The Center of Expertise for Climate Change and Adaptation (FZK) at the Hessian State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) has launched a call to make commercial sites future-proof.
Climate adaptation in the Odenwaldstraße industrial park
In Groß-Gerau, the Odenwaldstraße industrial park in the Dornberg district being examined and further developed as part of the project. The area covers 16.71 hectares and was primarily developed in the 1960s and 1970s . The effects of climate change are already visible: heat waves, heavy rainfall, floods, and storms have caused damage to buildings, infrastructure, and green spaces .
Commercial and industrial areas are often heavily sealed , which can cause them to heat up to 80 degrees Celsius . Furthermore, they often lack green spaces and bodies of water that provide natural cooling. The sewer system also quickly reaches its limits during heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding.
Climate-friendly measures for Groß-Gerau
To counteract these challenges, various measures be developed:
- Restoration of watercourses to enable better water absorption during heavy rainfall
- Increasing the amount of green space through new plantings to improve the microclimate
- Creation of shading structures to protect areas from intense heat.
- Strengthening public transport to reduce CO₂ emissions
- Development of a sustainable business concept to make companies more economically and ecologically resilient.
The Office for Urban Planning and Construction Administration of the district town of Groß-Gerau will work with experts, companies and other stakeholders to develop concrete concepts for a sustainable redesign of the industrial area.
Mayor Jörg Rüddenklau emphasizes: “By participating in this forward-looking project, we are making an important contribution to sustainable urban development and making our industrial area more resilient to the effects of climate change.”
Image: Groß-Gerau, district town
(District town of Gross-Gerau Red/PSGG)
