Weather - Dresden wants to become more resistant to heat
The city of Dresden wants to keep a cool head during heat waves and better prepare the population for high temperatures. The administration is focusing on raising awareness and is working on a Heat Action Plan, which will be presented to the city council next year. In particular, children, elderly and sick people, as well as homeless individuals, need protection from the heat, the city stated.
Regarding all climate consequences, we are most affected by heat waves and heat periods in terms of health. In schools, learning ability decreases, productivity at work drops, there are more accidents in road traffic, and older people suffer from high indoor temperatures at home," explained Social Mayor Kristin Klaudia Kaufmann.
70 digital screens in the city center are promoting mindfulness towards heat this week with two themes. Via the tram TV, residents and visitors receive tips on how to protect themselves from the heat: drink plenty of water, eat light food, cooling off, moderate physical activity, sun protection, and mindfulness towards others. On a flyer, parents and caregivers are informed about dealing with children on particularly hot days. Training sessions are also being offered for employees in care and senior care.
"Climate and heat are the themes of the century! We want to make all public facilities in the city heat-resistant," emphasized Frank Bauer, head of the Health and Prevention Office. The heat protection measures tested in the Gorbitz district are now to be transferred to the entire city. The city of Dresden refers to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) that there will be between two and three, but possibly four to six heat waves per year towards the end of this century instead of the current number. In 2023, Dresden recorded 70 summer days up to October. Since a municipal citizen survey, it has been known that the perception of heat stress varies greatly in the individual city districts. In particular, in the Leipziger Vorstadt, Pieschen, Prohlis, and Reick, it is perceived as a problem.
- To promote mindfulness towards coping with heat, the municipality of Dresden in Saxony is utilizing digital screens in the city center, providing tips for infants as well, such as keeping them hydrated and dressed appropriately for the weather.
- Considering the potential impact of climate change, Dresden's Cooling City strategy includes the implementation of mindfulness practices within its Heat Action Plan, aiming to protect vulnerable populations, including infants, during heat waves.
- As part of the city's efforts to create a heat-resistant environment, the Dresden administration is advocating for mindfulness in climate and weather awareness, incorporating training sessions for caregivers of infants and other vulnerable groups in the municipality.
