UrbanÖSL

Tailored solutions for urban transformation

Extreme heat, air pollution and species extinction. - Cities in Germany have long been affected by the effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Cities must become greener to counteract these phenomena. This requires tailored and innovative solutions that specifically and effectively promote the climate resilience of our cities.

We want to counter the effects of climate change in cities with tailored and innovative solutions.

A project that creates incentives

Private companies and public institutions in cities can make an important contribution to this quest by designing their areas nature-based and oriented toward ehancing biodiversity and ecosystemservices. With the UrbanÖSL project, we therefore want to motivate companies and municipalities to join us in driving forward the green transformation of their cities by making the increase in the ecosystem performance of urban areas verifiable and certifiable. UrbanÖSL is thus also the first project to pursue a integral certification of increased ecosystem services through the use of green infrastructure in cities.

What we do exactly

To drive the green transformation, we rely on collaborating with private companies, public institutions and municipalities. We want to show how company-owned and municipal areas can be made nature-friendly with Green Infrastructure so that important ecosystem services that are connected to biodiversity such as carbon sequestration and improved microclimate are ensured and increased.

We take a holistic view of urban ecosystem services and biodiversity in their multidimensional mode of action.

Step 1: Methods and Standards

Our experts develop scientifically verified methods and guidelines that can be used to quantify, increase and evaluate the ecosystem services and biodiversity of urban areas.  In the long term, we plan on generating certificates of this increase by means of downstream monetary valuation. These certificates can be used by companies or municipalities in their sustainability communication to target groups and stakeholders.

Step 2: Pilot Phase

In the pilot phase, we work together with a partner company or municipality. Here, the ecosystemic current state of a sample area is analyzed. We work out customized solutions with nature-oriented elements of green infrastructure, which are designed to increase the ecosystem services of the area. Based on this, the pilot partner is provided with a visual design concept for implementation.

Step 3: Spreading the Change

After this first pilot phase, we are refining our methods and procedures. Now, the assessment and improvement of ecosystem services of urban areas can be expanded with further pilot partners to promote the green transformation towards climate resilient cities on a larger scale.

We are looking for pilot partners!

As a pilot partner you have many advantages directly linked to the partnership.

Moreover, by enhancing green infrastructure and ecosystem-friendly elements on your site, you can elevate the living experience of your premises or community. You not only enhance biodiversity, but unlock a cascade of benefits – from a healthier more resilient local environment to economic savings and improved social well-being.

For this, you only have to make your area available to the UrbanÖSL experts for planning purposes. In return, we will develop a customized design concept for you that will make your areas greener and more biodiverse. - And at the same time increase the ecosystem services of the area.

Apply now!

Simply enter your details in our list of interested parties using the contact form below. We need the following information: Name of your organization, location and contact details (contact person, e-mail, telephone number).

If you have any questions, our project coordinator Lisa Botero Thumm will be happy to help you: lisa.botero.thumm@iao.fraunhofer.de

Ecosystem services for living cities

More and more people are living in cities that are increasingly expanding occupying natural areas for themselves. Forests, lakes, rivers and meadows are disappearing under sealed surfaces of asphalt and concrete. As a result, cities are among the largest producers of global CO2 emissions (about 70%), destroying habitat for animals and plants and turning into heat ovens in the summer.

Improving the ecosystem services of urban areas is essential for the long-term adaptation of cities to climate change.

As nature disappears, so do the benefits that a healthy, functioning ecosystem provides for us humans: the so-called ecosystem services (ESS). In a nutshell, ecosystem services can be understood as positive "services" that humans obtain from other living beings such as animals and plants. If we want to prepare cities for climate change and design them as healthy, livable spaces, it is therefore essential to improve the ecosystem services of urban areas.

Green infrastructure as key

We see urban areas with Green Infrastructure as the key to the long-term adaptation of cities to climate change. This is because Green Infrastructure creates more spaces where numerous positive ecosystem services are provided by nature in the city, such as:

·       Purification of air and water

·       Regulation of the microclimate

·       Mitigation of flooding and improved infiltration of stormwater into the soil

·       Erosion control

·       Carbon capture

·       Creation of habitat for various animal and plant species

·       Recreational spaces to rest and relax for residents

·       And many more!

Thanks to ecosystem services, Green Infrastructure has a particularly positive effect on the microclimate in cities, increases people's well-being and quality of life, counteracts pleasure pollution. It is therefore indispensable for making cities climate resilient and sustainable.

Our focus: biodiversity, microclimate, carbon sequestration

Particularly important to counteract the effects of climate change and the extinction of species are those ESS that are linked to biodiversity preservation. In UrbanÖSL, we therefore focus on the three aspects of biodiversity, microclimate and carbon capture in our guidelines and design solutions.