“Climate change adaptation” is also a relatively new discipline for the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), which is reflected in the current dynamism in relevant legislation from the EU to federal state levels. Eva-Maria Stumpp from DGNB’s research and development department explains: “We see a multi-disciplinary, cross-sectoral task here that involves architectural and engineering sciences but also biology, sociology, medicine and other disciplines and which has strong societal and participatory aspects.” Where cities, districts, buildings or even only parts of buildings are planned, the DGNB works at the interface between various disciplines and requirements from practice, and in a currently highly dynamic legal framework. “Especially in view of heat and drought, precipitation and floods we try to develop proven effective, practicable and climate-protecting approaches that lead to even better buildings in future.
The good news is: at least for Germany it can be said that carefully planned buildings in compliance with regulations are already very well positioned for both current and future climatic challenges on account of its high building standards and safety requirements. After all, the protection against environmental and weather influences has always been a core aspect of erecting buildings and settlements,” explains Stumpp. A contribution to this has also long come care of the flat glass industry, whose portfolio is very well “equipped” for controlling energy and daylight levels.
Leading manufacturers, for example, offer highly selective solar control glass, which reflects most of the heat-generating infrared rays of sunlight while transmitting most of the visible spectrum of daylight into the room. This means the climatic load can be reduced through the façade and shading in summer can be limited to shorter periods of the day. “Closed cavity façades” with internal sun shading or electrochromic glazing can optimise light and energy levels in meaningful ways.
In the wake of intensifying climate change, however, further measures will be required to keep cities viable, functional and prosperous – otherwise there is a risk of weather-related deaths, e.g. due to prolonged heat waves, and economic losses due to climate-related extremes. These adaptations are often a localised process taking local geographic, climatic, socio-demographic and economic factors into consideration. Stumpp explains: “Passive and nature-based no-regret solutions still hold potential not sufficiently exploited.” She adds: “Short and medium-term climate adaptation measures must be implemented without compromising long-term climate protection goals.” Often, “infrastructural greening” is a solution to “repair” the cityscape and achieve measurable improvements for the urban climate, as numerous studies prove. This has also been understood by rating agencies that increasingly reward cities willing to change if they promote biodiversity and create new green spaces, for example. These measures have a positive impact on the climate, micro-climate and quality of life, as well as on lending and the provision of public funds.
