The city council group the Free Voters and the voter group “FÜR Karlsruhe” poses a question on the topic “Karlsruhe as a sponge city”. Implementing the principle of a sponge city is an important step in making the city more climate resilient and reducing pressure on natural water resources. The city council group is committed to ensuring that the city of Karlsruhe implements concrete projects and initiatives to realize the principle of a sponge city.
The inquiry is to serve to determine the current state of affairs and development towards the sponge city: “We are eager to hear the answers from the city administration and will work to ensure that the plans and measures are implemented with regard to the future development as a sponge city,” says parliamentary group chairman Friedemann Kalmbach (FÜR Karlsruhe).
FAQ:
What is a sponge city?
A sponge city is an urban infrastructure that captures, stores, and uses stormwater to reduce flooding and water scarcity. Green roofs, stormwater basins, and permeable surfaces such as parks or other unsealed areas retain stormwater. It seeps into the ground, replenishing groundwater and preventing flooding. Green spaces such as parks and gardens serve as natural sponges that can absorb and evaporate water, cooling the city during hot spells. The absorbed rainwater is reused, for example for irrigation or industrial systems. The goal is to achieve sustainable water management in urban areas and reduce pressure on natural water resources.
Why is the implementation of a sponge city important?
Particularly in the context of increasingly long periods of heat and drought, the city of Karlsruhe must position itself to be more climate-resistant. The sponge city offers a suitable approach to this. Implementing the principle of a sponge city is an important step in making the city more climate resilient and reducing pressure on natural water resources.
What are concrete measures that the city of Karlsruhe can implement?
For example, the city of Karlsruhe can promote green roofs, create stormwater basins, create permeable surfaces such as parks or other unsealed areas, and consider cisterns in new construction and new green spaces. Irrigation of municipal cemeteries can also be switched to water from cisterns. The goal is to achieve sustainable water management in urban areas and reduce pressure on natural water resources.
