The city is developing a package of measures ranging from temperature monitoring to shading, greening of buildings and cooling
Rising temperatures and longer heat waves are becoming an increasing problem for schools and daycare centers in Darmstadt. The city of Darmstadt, a center of science and research, therefore intends to systematically improve heat protection in these facilities. Mayor Barbara Akdeniz, City Treasurer André Schellenberg, and Head of Education Holger Klötzner have agreed on a joint, cross-departmental strategy to this end.
The plan involves a combination of measures that can be implemented in the short term and long-term investments in the buildings. These include, among other things, external shading and UV protection, the possible air conditioning of particularly sensitive rooms, heat pumps, green roofs and facades, and changes to the outdoor facilities.
“The heat waves of recent years have shown that there is an urgent need for action,” explain Akdeniz, Schellenberg, and Klötzner. High temperatures are not only a health risk for children and staff, but also impair concentration, education, and childcare. “Our goal is to achieve sustainable improvements in heat protection in everyday daycare and school life.”
Temperatures in schools and daycare centers are being monitored
The basis for further decisions will initially be the most accurate inventory possible. Therefore, temperatures are being continuously monitored in almost all municipal schools and daycare centers. In addition, prioritized inspections of the facilities will be conducted to identify heat sources. External engineering firms will be consulted as needed.
Initial scientific research has already been conducted. Together with Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da), the school and youth welfare office examined schools and daycare centers and developed proposals for possible measures. The results were presented in June.
“I am pleased that we were able to find bright minds at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences who support us based on numbers, data and facts,” says Klötzner.
Both studies can be accessed online: Study on schools and Study on daycare centers.
Proper ventilation and equipment can also play a role
Not all improvements require major construction work. Therefore, staff in daycare centers, teachers, and caretakers should be made aware of how to deal with heat and trained in topics such as nighttime cooling and the correct operation of technical equipment.
Schellenberg points, for example, to electronic devices as an additional heat source: "Simply switching off smart boards overnight and over the weekend can noticeably lower the temperatures in the rooms."
Akdeniz emphasizes that such knowledge is particularly important in daycare centers. There, staff work closely with the children, which is why raising awareness of heat and UV protection is of special significance.
According to the city, numerous shaded areas have already been created in the outdoor areas of municipal daycare centers. In addition, the time children spend outdoors is adjusted during periods of high temperatures. Many facilities have water play areas. Furthermore, the city plans to examine whether dedicated cool rooms or areas can be created.
Shading and air conditioning as short-term measures
The city cites external shading, UV protection films, and blinds as examples of structural changes that can be implemented relatively quickly. These are intended to prevent rooms from overheating due to direct sunlight.
The feasibility study also includes the implementation of active air conditioning in sleeping rooms and other areas of daycare centers where particularly vulnerable children are present. Switching to LED lighting is also part of the package of measures. This not only consumes less electricity but also generates less heat in the rooms.
Heat pumps, green facades and more shade
In the long term, more extensive structural changes are also intended to improve heat protection. These include cooling using heat pumps. Light-colored or reflective roof surfaces will also be examined, as will photovoltaic systems, which, in addition to generating electricity, can also contribute to reducing the heating of buildings.
Other options include windows with solar control glazing and UV protection, green roofs and facades, additional shading, and the removal of impervious surfaces. The outdoor areas of schools and daycare centers should also be optimized to provide more shade and a more favorable microclimate.
The city plans to prioritize investments according to urgency
Which measures are implemented and where will depend on the actual heat stress, economic viability, and technical feasibility. The city also intends to take already planned renovations into account.
Schools or daycare centers that are already scheduled for a complete renovation within the next one to three years should not initially be provided with major short-term investments.
"The aim is to deploy available resources where they will have the greatest impact," explains Schellenberg. The measures will be prioritized according to urgency, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, and must be financially and logistically viable.
The participating departments divide the tasks: The social services department focuses on personnel and organizational issues, while the structural, technical, and financial requirements are coordinated elsewhere. The education department contributes, in particular, the needs of the schools as well as the perspectives of teachers and students.
Measurable improvements by summer 2027
The city intends to continuously review the measures and adjust them as needed. In addition to the measured temperatures, experiences and feedback from teachers, daycare teams, and building managers will also be taken into account.
The stated goal is ambitious: By summer 2027, measurable improvements in heat protection should be achieved in all Darmstadt schools and daycare centers.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
