City of Jena presents heat action plan to protect the population
The city administration of Jena is presenting a comprehensive package of measures to the city council at its upcoming meeting on May 21, 2025 to better protect the health of citizens from the consequences of extreme heat waves in the future. The so-called heat action plan is intended to provide targeted support for vulnerable groups in particular - including young children, the elderly, people with health problems and pregnant women.
"Jena is already the warmest city in Thuringia - and climate change will further intensify this trend," explains Kathleen Lützkendorf, Head of Social Affairs, Health, Immigration and Climate. "The heat action plan is an important step towards making our city more resilient and ensuring quality of life in the long term. The city is taking responsibility for the health of its citizens - and is countering the increasing heat stress with a clear strategy and concrete measures."
35 measures for more heat protection in four fields of action
The heat action plan was developed in close cooperation with the Thuringian Institute for Sustainability and Climate Protection (ThINK GmbH), an internal administrative working group and numerous stakeholders from urban society. A total of 35 measures were developed in workshops, climate walks and a citizen survey, which can be assigned to four thematic fields of action:
- Heat prevention: Measures such as the expansion of urban greenery, shading or the creation of cooling places to spend time are intended to reduce the heat load in the urban area in the long term.
- Risk communication: Information campaigns and training courses are intended to sensitize the population and professionals to the health risks of heat.
- Acute measures: During extreme heat days, short-term protective measures will come into force for particularly vulnerable groups.
- Monitoring and evaluation: The impact of the measures will be regularly reviewed to ensure their effectiveness, efficiency and acceptance.
Next steps: steering group, immediate measures and funding
Following a positive decision by the city council, the implementation of the heat action plan will be coordinated by an internal steering group. This group will document progress, identify obstacles and report regularly on the status of implementation. The first immediate priority measures are to be launched soon - including the establishment of public drinking water facilities, the development of heat-sensitive urban land-use planning and greater consideration of heat protection in care facilities.
The heat action plan builds on the city council resolution of 16.11.2022 to draw up a heat action plan for the city of Jena. This resolution laid the foundation for a further important step towards deepening and updating the city's climate adaptation strategy.
Additional human and financial resources are required to implement the package of measures. The city is examining funding opportunities for this and will earmark corresponding funds as part of its budget planning.