Project Overview
The Climate-Energy-Water real-world lab, titled "Green infrastructures for the city of the future – a demonstration project", implements structural and operational measures for climate protection and climate adaptation in existing buildings of the TU Berlin. It is part of the Schwammstadt Nordcampus and is set in the Charlottenburg Campus transformation area. The project runs from 09/2024 to 12/2026 and is funded by the Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE 2), with funds from the European Regional Development Fund and the State of Berlin.
Who Runs It
The project is run by StadtManufaktur Berlin, described as the platform for real-world labs and a collaboration initiative of the Technical University of Berlin. It operates as a transfer institution within the Science & Society (ScSo) Office and the Environmental Protection and Safety Services (SDU) Office of the TU Berlin Executive Board. Its founding partners are Technische Universität Berlin, the Center for Technology and Society and the Einstein Center Digital Future, and its founding phase was funded by the Berlin Senate Chancellery. StadtManufaktur is a member of the Network of Real-World Laboratories for Sustainability and of the Professional Association for Participatory and Transdisciplinary Research e.V. The contact lead is Dr. Ing. Anja Steglich.
Water Measures
- Rainwater is harvested from the roof and retained in cisterns.
- Green facades and evaporation beds are being developed as structures of the sponge city Berlin.
- Their functionality and effectiveness are being demonstrated.
- Rainwater is managed locally, which the text says reduces pressure on Berlin's sewer system and waterways.
Energy Components
Photovoltaics on the roof surfaces generate renewable energy in the existing building and reduce its net energy requirement. The storage and irrigation systems for façade greening and evaporation beds, including pumps, valves, control electronics and sensors, are supplied with this renewable energy.
Research Foundations and Transfer
The design and structure of the lab are based on research results and experience from the Vertical Green 2.0 and BlueGreenStreets research projects. TU Berlin research departments are involved in design, implementation and operation, and can integrate research and teaching. The results of the ClimateHOOD_CampusPARK Charlottenburg project are also being incorporated. The text assumes that context-specific knowledge, social and technological innovations can be transferred to other locations in the Charlottenburg Campus transformation area.
Engagement and Participation
The lab's central concern is to develop and communicate the effectiveness of natural and technical measures, inform the urban community, and foster co-creation and participation. Buildings and open spaces serve as teaching and learning locations. According to the text, city administrators, the real estate industry, interested professionals and laypeople can experience firsthand how existing buildings and neighborhoods can be transformed to be climate-friendly.
Purpose and Audiences of the Climate-Energy-Water Lab
In its own terms, the project aims to show how existing buildings and neighborhoods can be transformed into climate-friendly places through productive blue-green infrastructure and spaces for biodiversity development. It addresses city administrators, the real estate industry, interested professionals and laypeople.