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INTRODUCTION:
Coburg, a historic city in Germany, is known for its medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and picturesque landscapes. With its rich cultural heritage and vibrant community, Coburg is actively improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors by tackling modern environmental challenges.
With rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves, the placement of microclimate sensors in urban areas is becoming increasingly important. These sensors help mitigate the increasing heat threats in cities. Urban planners can use this information to make informed decisions about green spaces and infrastructure.
Integrating IoT technology to monitor microclimatic conditions makes cities more resilient, livable, and sustainable. This proactive approach protects citizens and promotes climate-resilient urban environments.
Coburg, Germany
Challenges
- Heat Management
- Public Health
- Data Privacy and Security
Senstick in the City Center
Solution
Currently, Coburg has 25 active locations, and the network will be expanded to cover the entire city, including all districts, in the coming weeks and months.
The initial phase will see the establishment of nearly 50 measurement points strategically placed throughout the city. These sensors will continuously collect and transmit data, helping urban planners, city officials, and residents to access detailed information about the local climate.
By identifying hotspots and areas prone to extreme temperatures, particularly during the summer, the data will enable the city to implement targeted improvements. This initiative not only aims to enhance the quality of urban living but also to contribute to broader efforts in smart city development and sustainable urban planning.
These sensors utilize LoRaWAN connectivity, which offers a cost-effective and efficient means of data transmission over long distances with low power consumption. This technology ensures that data from all sensors is reliably collected and transmitted to a central cloud platform. Here, the data is analyzed and made accessible to urban planners, city officials, and the public through a user-friendly dashboard. The dashboard displays both current and historical data, enabling users to track environmental trends and make informed decisions.
Sensor network is based on LoRawan
The sensors are manufactured with high quality and stand out not only for their design but also because they are made and assembled in the European Union (Slovenia). They are made from high-quality materials, which makes them significantly more reliable and precise.
They are designed for longevity, and aside from the batteries, the sensors can last for decades. On LoRaWAN, they can function up to 50 km away from the gateway and are easy to install, ensuring that both integrators and end customers can have a high-quality experience with them.
Made in EU
Live microclimate data is available at any time on the City of Coburg’s website for all devices. The dashboard displays each sensor and its readings for both current and past data. This allows citizens and city employees to view the data whenever needed.
Benefits
- Improved Urban Planning
- Enhanced Public Health
- Environmental Sustainability
- LONG TERM: Urban Heat Island Mitigation
LONG TERM: Urban Heat Island mitigation
Urban heat island (UHI) effect significantly exacerbates the impacts of climate change in high-density cities. UHI results from urbanization replacing natural landscapes with impermeable surfaces like concrete and asphalt. This leads to higher daytime temperatures, reduced nighttime cooling, and increased air pollution, posing risks such as heatstroke and respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable populations. UHI also elevates energy demands for air conditioning, contributing to further emissions. Mitigating UHI can involve biomimicry and sustainable urban planning to create more resilient and livable cities.
During the night, temperatures in UHIs remain elevated. This occurs because structures like buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots trap heat, preventing it from radiating into the cooler night sky. As a result, the heat is retained near the ground, leading to higher nighttime temperatures.
Urban heat islands can experience poorer air and water quality compared to their rural counterparts. Air quality is often worse in UHIs due to higher concentrations of pollutants—such as those from vehicles, industrial activities, and other sources. The urban environment, with its numerous buildings, roads, and sidewalks, inhibits the dispersion of these pollutants, preventing them from becoming less harmful.
Causes and Consequences
The primary causes of UHIs include reduced vegetation, extensive use of impermeable surfaces, and high-density buildings that trap and retain heat. A study led by ISGlobal highlights that UHIs are responsible for more than 4% of all summer deaths. The research emphasizes the importance of urban greenery, suggesting that cities with at least 30% tree cover can significantly mitigate the adverse effects of UHIs and reduce premature deaths.
Thermal comfort is crucial for well-being, productivity, and overall quality of life. It refers to the condition in which individuals feel satisfied with the temperature of their environment, experiencing neither too hot nor too cold. Factors influencing thermal comfort include air temperature, humidity, air movement, and the insulation provided by clothing. The heat index which combines air temperature and relative humidity to estimate the perceived temperature, is a key indicator of thermal comfort, as it reflects how the body actually feels under different conditions. By optimizing these elements, it is possible to create environments that promote health and efficiency.
Incorporating energy-efficient solutions, such as improved insulation, double-glazed windows, and solar energy systems, can enhance thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption and costs. These measures not only provide a comfortable living and working space but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Mitigation Strategies
Addressing the challenges posed by UHIs requires a multi-faceted approach:
- Increasing Green Spaces: Urban parks, green roofs, and tree-lined streets help cool cities by providing shade and releasing moisture into the air.
- Using Reflective Materials: Building materials that reflect rather than absorb heat can reduce surface temperatures.
- Implementing Sustainable Urban Planning: Integrating green infrastructure, reducing motorized traffic, and designing buildings to enhance natural ventilation can make cities more resilient and livable.
Urban heat island graph
(The urban heat-island effect can raise temperatures by 5oC to 10oC, exacerbating heat waves.)
Thermal photo of a city block
Effective urban planning balances development with environmental sustainability, building livable and resilient communities.
TESTIMONIALS FROM KEY PEOPLE:
Stefan Fey, Digitalization Department, City of Coburg: Of course, it’s also about generating values in urban planning—identifying hotspots, for example, where it gets really hot in the summer, to explore future improvements.
Stefan Fey and Andreas Kücher
Andreas Kücker, Manager Digital süc//dacor GmbH: Solutions like these with LoRaWAN connectivity offer a cost-effective way to make cities smarter.
See Coburg LIVE DATA
