Project

Cities have their own, very specific microclimates, which depend, among other factors, on topography, land-use patterns, building stock, surface characteristics, and the proportion of green spaces. As a result, very different local climatic conditions can arise within a single urban area.

When addressing heat stress as well as periods of drought, the creation and preservation of open and green spaces, urban greening of roofs and facades, the preservation and establishment of fresh-air corridors, the use of blue-green infrastructure, and the enhancement of the albedo effect are key starting points for potential adaptation measures.

Since conventional technical drainage systems can only be adapted to a limited extent to increasing extreme rainfall events, decentralized stormwater management is of great importance - particularly infiltration and (temporary) storage (through multifunctional land uses) and the use of green roofs.

With the goal of connecting municipalities and the housing sector, a network was established between existing municipal networks and advisory formats in North Rhine-Westphalia and the housing sector. The goal of this network was to systematically document experiences through a facilitated process, discuss synergies and barriers to collaboration between municipalities and the housing sector, and develop concrete approaches to cooperation.

To this end, three example neighborhoods were to be selected that represented as diverse a range of neighborhood types as possible (including urban planning, topographical, functional, and socioeconomic characteristics, as well as types of housing companies managing existing housing stock: municipal, cooperative, and private). In these neighborhoods, the aforementioned topics were examined in detail together with housing companies managing existing stock and municipal administrations, and potential solutions were developed; these were then discussed and refined with the network during workshops.

The project resulted in a permanent forum for exchange between municipalities and the housing sector on climate adaptation measures, funding opportunities, and best practices.

You can download an overview (in German) of all events organized by the KlimaKoop Network here.

The toolbox (“KlimaKoop.Komm Information Board”) comprises information on various adaptation measures, but is available in German language only (see here).

• Hohmann, C.; Bieker, S.; Truffer, B. (2025): Breaking out of the silo: collaborative approaches to implementing blue-green infrastructure in urban areas.
• Helmbold, N. (2025): Wassersensible Stadtenwicklung mittels blau-grüner Infrastrukturen in Bestandsquartieren. Masterarbeit.
• Bieker, S.; Hohmann, C. (2024): Nachhaltigkeitstransformation der urbanen Infrastruktur in Deutschland.
• Hohmann, C. et al. (2024): Wasser in der Stadt. In: Thema der Wohnungswirtschaft (N°2/24) mit Audiobeitrag. In: VdW Rheinland Westfalen.
• Bieker, S.; Hohmann, C. (2023): Klimaanpassung mittels blaugrüner Infrastrukturen.
• Bieker, S.; Lojewski, H. v. (2023): Nachhaltigkeitsinnovationen im Mehrebenensystem - Rahmenbedingungen und Anforderungen für die kommunale Ebene im Klimawandel.
• Breuer, A. (2023): Klimaanpassung in der Stadt - Eine akteursorientierte Strategie zur Umsetzung von naturbasierten Maßnahmen zur Klimaanpassung im Pallaswiesen-/Mornewegviertel Darmstadt. Masterarbeit.
• Lieberum, J. (2023): Klimaanpassung in Kommunen. In: Raumplanung - Fachzeitschrift für Planung und Forschung, August bis Oktober 2022.
• Die Wichtigkeit des Themas und der Zielstellungen wird im Corporate Social Responsibility Bericht 2023 der Fraunhofer Gesellschaft unter dem SDG 13 reflektiert (Seite 34).
• Breuer, A. (2020): Einsatzmöglichkeiten von grün-blauen Infrastrukturen zur Klimaanpassung im Wohnungsbau und in der Quartiersentwicklung. Bachelorarbeit.

• Feb 2, 2026: DIUT-Fachkongress für Innovative Quartiersentwicklung 2026 in Bochum: Impulsvortrag und moderierte Diskussion zu innovativer Quartiersentwicklung mit Fokus auf Klimaanpassung und blau grüne Infrastrukturen. Dr. Susanne Bieker: „Kooperative Handlungsstränge von Kommunen und Wohnungswirtschaft für blau-grüne Infrastrukturen“

• Sept 18 + 19, 2025: 40. Bundeskongress des BWK in Bremerhaven: Fachforum I: Wasserbewusste Stadtentwicklung. Dr. Susanne Bieker: „Blau grüne Infrastrukturen – Herausforderungen und Chancen in Planung, Umsetzung und Betrieb“

• Hohmann, C. et al. (2024): Wasser in der Stadt. In: Thema der Wohnungswirtschaft (N°2/24) mit Audiobeitrag. In: VdW Rheinland Westfalen.

January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2026

• Zukunft Umwelt Gesellschaft www.z-u-g.org

• Kommunal Agentur NRW GmbH www.kommunalagentur.nrw
  
• InWIS (Institute for Housing, Real Estate, Urban and Regional Development GmbH) www.inwis.de
  

• Future Initiative (ZI) KLIMA.WERK www.klima-werk.de
• Association of the Housing and Real Estate Industry (VdW) Rhineland-Westphalia www.vdw-rw.de

Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety: www.bundesumweltministerium.de/en/topics/climate-adaptation/overview-climate-adaptation

• Funding Reference Number 67DAS237A-C
• Funding Program: Support for Measures to Adapt to the Consequences of Climate Change
• Funding Priority 3: “Municipal flagship projects and the establishment of local and regional partnerships”

Tips and Tools for Climate Change Adaptation (German language, only)

During the project’s duration, network participants compiled relevant information on climate adaptation measures, particularly regarding implementation and collaboration between housing sector companies and municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia. This overview compiles information on projects, initiatives, points of contact, funding opportunities, and related topics. If you have any questions, the project team  will be happy to assist you.

• Heavy Rain and Flood Protection
• Drought
• Heat
• Grants and Financing Tips
• Miscellaneous
• The KlimaKoop.Komm Network