Offenbach Tests Paving Materials to Combat Urban Heat Island Effects
Offenbach's local authorities have initiated a unique project to combat urban heat island effects. In October 2021, they established six test areas, each 12 square meters, at the intersection of Berliner Straße 60 and Market Square. These areas, featuring different paving materials, aim to reduce maintenance efforts and heat from sealed surfaces, as the city braces for future summers.
The test areas, varying in surface and color, have been set up in front of the city police headquarters. Information boards detailing the materials used are displayed at the fence of the emergency exit of the town hall. The city hopes to understand the self-cleaning behavior of these surfaces under different weather conditions.
The city aims to combine urban greenery, such as trees, with strategic material selection. Trees can significantly reduce temperatures, with a 15°C difference observed under their shade compared to asphalt. The city hopes to replicate and enhance this effect with the test areas.
Preliminary results show significant temperature differences between the test areas. Concrete, for instance, is almost 10°C cooler than asphalt on hot days. The surface temperature of the paving slabs from the market square reconstruction falls within the low temperature range of the test areas.
Offenbach's innovative project seeks to mitigate urban heat island effects and reduce maintenance efforts. By testing various paving stones and observing their self-cleaning abilities under real urban conditions, the city hopes to gain valuable insights. These findings will guide future urban planning, helping Offenbach better cope with future summers.
