What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
A team from the University of Hohenheim designed an irrigation system, that uses the least amount of water in the most efficient way
Water is becoming more important as a resource, as European cities implement an increasing number of green programmes
On 11 August, Frankfurt Am Main announced the results of a study conducted in the city on the design of ‘smart’ urban irrigation systems. The study was conducted by a team from the University of Hohenheim, working in tandem with FES Frankfurter Entsorgungs- und Service GmbH (FES), the Green Space Office, and the Palm Garden (der Palmengarten).
The research focused on recording the water requirements of young trees using an array of digital instruments. Researchers developed a data-driven prototype showing promise for massive water savings.
Water is becoming an even more vital resource for EU cities as urban greenery programmes gain popularity across population centres. At the same time, green spaces are key temperature regulators for city micro-climates, yet they suffer from the adverse effects of rising temperatures and low rainfall.
This is why the team from the University of Hohenheim tried to design a smart irrigation system, that uses the least amount of water, delivered in the most efficient way possible. They used their data to develop an irrigation model for an entire city and projected huge water savings.
For the experiment, they used 18 soil measuring sensors on eight young ash trees: two in the Palmengarten and the rest in the Maastricht Ring (Europaviertel). The sensors measured the soil water potential over time, that is the force trees needed to pull water out of the ground. They also measured soil temperature and soil moisture. This is how they determined the irrigation requirements.
Freshly planted trees in particular have a high need for readily available water. A young ash, for example, needs to exert around 30 centibars of suction force, according to the experts in the Green Spaces Office.
The measurements in April 2021 showed that individual irrigation channels can be postponed or even suspended in the future. Projected to Frankfurt’s current 5000 young trees, the city can save up to one million litres of water per round of irrigation in spring.
According to the city, one of the linchpins of an operation like this would be the introduction of long-range radio sensors monitoring the trees. Then the infrastructure can fall onto FES – Frankfurt’s waste management company.
They have already done some similar work for the Green Spaces Office, the main authority on greenery maintenance for the city. The past few years FES watered trees on their behalf in the summer. They are also active in private green maintenance.
The irrigation could be carried out by the FES winter service vehicle fleet, converted into digitally controllable water trucks.
Environment officer Rosemarie Heilig explained: “The results of these tests are very promising. They show that we still use a lot of resources to maintain our urban greenery, which is so important and valuable for climate reasons.
This is an important finding, especially in times of increased water scarcity. In the future, digital technologies can help us to become even better and more efficient when it comes to environmental protection in our own living environment."
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital