Urban districts: sustainable buildings and infrastructure development

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in cities

The transformation of society and urban systems is a central task for the coming years. The energy transition and climate change are leading to major challenges even in German cities, especially in the urban districts and in the building sector. In order to achieve the climate protection targets of the German government, greenhouse gas emissions have to decline significantly. A substantially increase in the share of renewable energies in the electricity sector is essential. The necessary shutdown of large‑scale power plants will put local energy systems in corresponding demand. CO2 emissions in the building sector have to decline, the refurbishment rate has to boost, and sustainable mobility concepts are required.

Acceptance by all stakeholders

At the same time, heavy rainfall events and periods of extreme heat are putting a strain on municipal infrastructure and green areas. In some cases, this requires considerable adjustments to the operation and development of infrastructure and network structures, as well as more extensive strategies for adaptation to the new climatic challenges. In addition, the acceptance of all stakeholders – especially the citizens – will have to be taken into account in all projects.

The consideration of neighborhoods as a whole has high importance and becomes repeatedly obvious when making adjustments. In urban areas, a wide variety of functions interlock like in a puzzle: population, energy systems, buildings, traffic, urban green areas and emissions.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT has been working in this field in an interdisciplinary manner for many years. We take the respective local conditions at all levels into account and integrate stakeholders into the processes for developing custom-fit solutions and resilient structures. Our offer to you ranges from the individual concept to the implementation in practice.

Urban districts: sustainable buildings and infrastructure development TyreWearMapping: Tire and road wear particles in Germany SAIN: Developing urban agriculture together in an innovative way District Hydrogen conceptsTyreWearMapping: Tire and road wear particles in Germany TyreWearMapping: Tire and road wear particles in GermanyVertical greening in urban areasLUZI: Laboratory for urban future questions and innovations TyreWearMapping: Tire and road wear particles in GermanyBioMS: Leichte Transportboxen aus Biokunststoff Vertical greening in urban areasinFARMING®: building-integrated agriculture
More about our projects and offers: Move your mouse over the individual objects and look at our reference projects and services.

From concept to practice

Fraunhofer UMSICHT is your competent partner to manage successfully the current and future challenges. We offer:

  • innovation consulting
  • feasibility studies
  • project development and scientific support
  • funding opportunities
  • a profitable network tailored to your needs
  • efficient energy concepts
  • technologically innovative solutions
  • concept development including participatory processes

Your benefit:

  • more sustainability and innovative ideas for buildings and urban districts
  • appreciation and preservation of buildings and urban districts for residents
  • climate protection and tailored solutions to master climatic challenges
  • CO2/climate neutrality
  • urban development lighthouses

We rethink buildings and urban districts and make them fit for the future. Join us! Get in touch with us.

We look forward to receiving your E-Mail!

Reference projects and services

 

BauCycle

Recycling of building materials

  • creating resources and new recyclables for the construction sector
  • product development, sorting technology and marketing

 

 

c.lab

Creative lab for Oberhausen

  • Needs-oriented city development
  • Urban transformation

 

 

FungiFacturing

Mushroom based sound insulation

  • generative production of sound absorber panels based on fungi and plant fibres
  • bio-based alternative to conventional sound insulation materials
  • individual design
 

Future-iQ

Integral neighborhood solutions

  • development paths on the way to climate neutrality
  • exploiting the potential for sector coupling
  • optimal integration of renewable energies
  • flexible use of power-to-heat technologies, geothermal energy and Heat Networks 4.0 in existing buildings
 

inFARMING®

Building-integrated agriculture in urban areas

  • linking production systems and building infrastructure
  • using material and energy flows sustainably for food cultivation
 

LUZI

Laboratory for urban future questions and innovations

  • How and through which target groups can a Maker Space function sustainably?
  • creative environment
  • exchange, educational opportunities, Prototyping
  • research process with civil society and actors in practice

 

 

SAIN

Urban agriculture – innovation

  • joint innovative development of urban agriculture
  • sustainable integration and networking of small-scale food production
  • new participatory concepts to bring citizens and scientists together on the topic of the bioeconomy

 

 

TyreWearMapping

Tire and road wear particles in Germany

  • investigate, model and present
  • extensive data on the emission and spread
  • digital planning and decision-making tool

 

 

Vertical greening

Vertical greening in urban areas

  • positive properties for the urban climate
  • excellent noise protection
  • new system on a mineral basis
  • flexible use thanks to modular construction
 

Hydrogen concepts in urban districts

The supply of tomorrow, already thought today

  • develop hydrogen concepts for residential and commercial
    areas
  • customised technologies and optimal dimensioning
  • evaluate technical solutions
  • framework conditions