Heat Management Strategies at Rhineland-Palatinate: Focus on Water, Pavilions, and Hotels - Hotel, pavilion, and water: How Rhineland-Palatinate copes with heatwave
Rhineland-Palatinate, a region in southwestern Germany, is currently experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees. To combat the soaring temperatures, the region has introduced a series of innovative cooling measures.
For the first time, the "Cool Summer Mainz" action is taking place in Mainz, offering discounted air-conditioned hotel rooms to residents struggling with heat in their homes. Five hotels in Mainz are participating in this action, with single or double rooms available for 50 euros per night including breakfast, bookable from Sunday to Thursday when temperatures above 33 degrees are forecast.
In addition to the hotel offers, Mainz is also providing a mobile cooling solution through a heat bus equipped with cold drinks, fruit, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hats, and sunglasses. The heat bus, operated by the local branch of the German Red Cross (DRK), serves as a refuge for vulnerable populations during periods of high temperature.
Koblenz, another city in the region, has a pavilion designed for cooling and relief during heatwaves. This pavilion, located on one of Koblenz's central squares, offers a shaded and ventilated space where residents can find respite from the heat. Koblenz also has refill stations for drinking vessels, making it easier for people to stay hydrated.
Ludwigshafen, another city in the region, has a pavilion in its city center that extends its roof to provide shade by pressing a button. People without shelter in Ludwigshafen can find refuge at the contact center of the city's department of drug counseling and prevention, where they can also access free drinking water.
The response to the "Cool Summer Mainz" action has been great, with several media outlets reporting on it. These measures complement existing urban and regional planning efforts in Rhineland-Palatinate aimed at building climate resilience, especially regarding heat and other climate extremes. Programs also engage public participation and cross-border learning with places like Stuttgart to develop sustainable and culturally sensitive solutions to overheating in urban areas.
Unfortunately, the high temperatures have also led to an incident in Wissen (district of Altenkirchen) where a six-year-old boy was rescued from an overheated car by a passerby. The police are investigating the mother and informing the youth welfare office.
As the heatwave continues, temperatures are expected to remain high between 32 and 36 degrees on Friday, but will be slightly cooler between 23 and 32 on Saturday. However, after the heat, individual strong thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and gusts of wind could move across the region on Friday.
In conclusion, Rhineland-Palatinate is taking a multi-faceted approach to combat the heatwave, combining mobile relief services, public shaded infrastructure, and commercial hospitality adaptations to mitigate heat impacts in the region.
