Hot, hotter, city: corner at "DAS FEST"
Under the slogan ‘Hot, hotter, city – We measure what you feel’, corner brought the latest research on urban climate and heat to life for festival-goers.
Making urban heat visible and tangible
The starting point was the ‘Kronenplatz Effect’ research and intervention project. It investigates how heavily heated public spaces can be transformed through temporary shading, greening and other cooling measures, and how these measures are perceived and utilised by local people.
An exhibition in the two ‘corner’ containers illustrated how urban heat is generated, how it can be measured, and the role played by materials, urban planning, environmental conditions and our everyday behaviour. Using a thermal imaging camera, visitors were able to observe live how different materials and surfaces heat up to varying degrees in the sun. The documentary container also screened the film 'Heiß, heißer, Stadt' ('Hot, hotter, city'), produced by Torero. The interactive video installation presented visitors with a range of perspectives on heat in the city and invited them to position themselves within the space and reflect on their own point of view.
Start a conversation about heat-resilient cities
An accompanying programme of talks and discussions presented various research projects on the urban climate. The contributions ranged from the causes of urban heat and possible adaptation measures to the question of why certain social groups are particularly likely to live in heavily polluted areas. Together with the researchers, the visitors discussed how cities can be designed to remain liveable and equitable in the future, in the face of rising temperatures.
Try out your climate knowledge for yourself
Numerous hands-on activities also brought the topic to life. Festival-goers created climate fans illustrating the trend in average temperatures in Baden-Württemberg. In another activity, participants made bracelets from UV beads that change colour when exposed to sunlight, thereby making UV radiation visible. These bracelets provide an immediate indication of when it is advisable to take a break in the shade or use additional sun protection.
Ingredients for a fair city of the future
Over the course of two afternoons, the European research project PREFIGURE – coordinated by the IfR – brought a fresh perspective to the programme on the links between the climate crisis, housing and social justice. PREFIGURE investigates how local initiatives, as well as social and institutional innovations, can help to overcome housing inequalities and energy poverty and open up new avenues to affordable, inclusive and energy-efficient housing. Under the title ‘Your recipe for a fair city of the future’, Michael Janoschka, Georgia Alexandri, Aysegül Can and Milena Garbers engaged in conversation with festival-goers. On specially designed recipe cards, visitors were able to note down which ingredients they felt a liveable and fair city needed. The wide range of contributions highlighted that a fair city of the future requires more than just technical solutions for climate adaptation. Equally important are affordable housing, social inclusion, accessible public spaces and the opportunity to play an active role in shaping urban change.
An interdisciplinary space for meeting and exchange
The Kronenplatz Effect at the ‘corner <Science> to meet you!’ event at DAS FEST is organised by the KIT Chair of Design of Structures, the Institute for Regional Science (IfR), the South German Climate Office at the Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research – Tropospheric Research, and TRIANGEL Transfer | Culture | Space within the KIT Knowledge Transfer Department.
