Around 100 sensor combinations will be installed in the city of Aachen in summer 2026 to measure urban climate parameters. In addition to temperature and relative humidity, these also include wind speed and direction.
Some sensors are quickly noticeable when walking through the city, others are inconspicuous, depending on how they are installed. They are often located a few meters above the ground on lanterns and traffic lights.
City of Aachen
The city has successfully applied for the “MACspeeDZ” project (“Accelerating Planning for Climate Adaptation with Urban Digital Twins in the Cities of Mannheim and Aachen”) as part of the call for proposals “Accelerating Planning for Climate Adaptation with Urban Digital Twins” issued by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR). The project is managed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The procurement of the sensor technology is fully funded by the project.
You will notice that the measured values can vary depending on the location. It is precisely these differences that should be made visible and cold air flows and heat islands identified. The database supports the employees of the Climate and Environment (FB36) and Urban Development and Planning (FB61) departments in their decision-making regarding climate adaptation measures. This ensures that Aachen remains a city worth living in for all of us, even in the face of climate change.