Exceeding 1% by weight, containing elevated amounts of fat
In an innovative move to combat urban heat stress, the city administration of Kaiserswerther has planted ten-year-old cherry trees on the market square. This pilot project, aimed at determining the effectiveness of temporary mobile greening in reducing heat stress on urban squares, involves the city gardening department and environmental scientists from Geo Net in Hannover.
The cherry trees, which can grow up to six meters tall, were planted in March and are expected to provide natural shade and contribute to cooling through evapotranspiration. According to preliminary observations and computer-aided simulations, the cooling effect of these trees could lower the surface and air temperature in the immediate vicinity by approximately 2 to 3 degrees Celsius compared to the current unshaded state of the square during heat stress conditions.
This reduction in temperature could significantly improve outdoor comfort and reduce heat stress for people using the market square. The project also aims to evaluate the trees' growth, shading effect, and cooling potential over time to optimise urban heat mitigation strategies.
Real measurements of the cooling effect are being collected over the next few months, with sensors placed in shady, fully sunlit, and transition areas for differentiated results. The collected data is wirelessly transmitted to a central unit in the Kaiserswerther town hall, and the current temperature trends on the market square can be tracked at www.geo-net.de/de/kaiserswerthermarkt.html.
Environmental Commissioner Helga Stulgies explains, "We are excited about this pilot project and its potential to demonstrate a promising natural approach to urban heat stress alleviation. If successful, we hope to implement similar measures in other parts of the city."
It is important to note that no prior renovation work has started on the Kaiserswerther market, and the final renovation will take place after the trial period with the cherry trees. The city administration is using these cherry trees as a temporary measure to alleviate summer heat stress on the market square, with the hope that they will provide relief until the final renovation can be carried out.
This project marks an important step in the city's efforts to combat urban heat stress and improve the overall livability of its public spaces. As the trial progresses, residents and visitors to Kaiserswerther can look forward to a cooler, more comfortable market square this summer.
- Incorporating the principle of environmental science, this project aims to assess the potential of climate-change mitigation strategies, such as gardening cherry trees, in home-and-garden settings to combat urban heat stress.
- The cooling effect of the cherry trees, rooted in the intersection of lifestyle and environmental-science, could significantly improve outdoor comfort, making the market square a more pleasant home-and-garden environment during heat stress conditions.
- As the project progresses, the data collected from the market square, particularly in regard to the cherry trees' environmental impact and their contribution to the garden environment, will offer insights that could influence the urban planning and gardening landscape of Kaiserswerther.
