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Intense heat reaches 54.5 degrees Celsius in Munich downtown area: Greens advocate for additional greenery

Munich city core reaches scorching 54.5 degrees; Green party raises concerns. A financial aid intended for tree planting initiatives.

Extreme heat reaches 54.5 degrees in Munich's city center, with the Greens advocating for...
Extreme heat reaches 54.5 degrees in Munich's city center, with the Greens advocating for additional trees

Intense heat reaches 54.5 degrees Celsius in Munich downtown area: Greens advocate for additional greenery

Munich Greens Propose Urban Greening Initiative for Climate Resilience

Munich's city center is facing rising temperatures, and the Greens, led by Mona Fuchs, are taking action. They believe that more green, shady plazas can help cool down the city, and they're advocating for a shift in the tree planting program to make Munich climate-fit.

The Greens propose converting the tree planting allowance into a fund, allowing federal funding to be directed towards specific projects. This move would enable Munich to create an integrated urban cooling network, going beyond just planting more trees.

The proposed initiative includes planting heat-resistant, drought-tolerant species, such as lavender, which thrive in minimal water and high temperatures. Additionally, the plan involves incorporating innovative green structures, like the "VERT" structure, which uses climbing plants over sustainable red oak glulam to create large shaded areas, cooling the air by up to 14ºF and producing significant biomass within a single summer.

Furthermore, the Greens advocate for coordinated urban planning with enhanced green infrastructure. Federal resources could support comprehensive redesigns to increase tree canopy, green spaces, and natural airflow corridors, as recommended by experts to reduce urban heat. This includes planting more trees in key areas, creating green corridors, and improving surface permeability.

Educational and community engagement programs are also a key part of the proposal. Drawing from initiatives like Plant-for-the-Planet, federal funding could amplify community involvement and awareness campaigns to boost tree-planting efforts and emphasize climate adaptation benefits, fostering public support and stewardship.

Lastly, the Greens propose supporting local research and innovation in green technologies in landscape architecture. This would enable Munich to pioneer adaptive, sustainable urban greening strategies to counter rising temperatures effectively.

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the maximum air temperature in Munich was 31 degrees Celsius. However, the ground temperature in the sun reached as high as 54.5 degrees Celsius in Munich's city center, while it was significantly cooler in the shade of a tree (27.3 degrees). The Greens have measured the ground temperature in three plazas in Munich's city center, demonstrating the dramatic difference between the sun and shade.

The Greens' pragmatic and effective proposal for using federal funding for climate-friendly projects in Munich is a step towards a greener and cooler future for the city.

  1. The Greens' proposal in Munich, spearheaded by Mona Fuchs, aims to reallocate the tree planting allowance to a fund, focusing on environmental-science projects that promote sustainable-living, like planting heat-resistant species and implementing innovative green structures such as the "VERT" system.
  2. To enhance the city's climate-resilience, the Greens' urban greening initiative includes the integration of green infrastructure into home-and-garden designs, increasing tree canopy, green spaces, and natural airflow corridors, favoring a cooler lifestyle within the city center.
  3. To ensure a long-term, climate-friendly impact, the Greens strive to boost the local research and innovation in green technologies related to landscape architecture, ensuring Munich remains at the forefront of adaptive, sustainable urban greening strategies that consider climate-change implications.

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