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First cooling station debuts in Berlin

In Pankow, a novel pilot project is being initiated, offering a 25 square meter, barrier-free space, completely free of cost, as a response to the summer heat. Plans for technological enhancements are set for next year.

Cooling haven debuts in Berlin for the first time
Cooling haven debuts in Berlin for the first time

First cooling station debuts in Berlin

In a bid to combat the heat waves that have become increasingly common in Berlin, the first Berliner Cooling Point has been opened in Mauerpark, Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg. This innovative project, part of the "Urban Heat Labs - Heat Protection in City Quarters and Buildings" model project, is a pilot scheme designed to provide additional refreshment on hot days.

Maayan Matmon, the Objektleiterin (manager) of Mauerpark, was among those who attended the symbolic opening of the Cooling Point. Also present were Martin Kaufmann, the Geschäftsführer (CEO) of Union Sozialer Einrichtungen, Svenja Binz, a Referentin (advisor) at the Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung, and Anne Keßler, a Referatsleiterin (department head) at the Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Stadtentwicklung und Bauwesen.

The Cooling Point, spanning 25 square meters, offers a shaded, green area where people can sit and drink cool water. It is barrier-free and free to use by the public. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building, and falls within the "Experimental Housing and Urban Development" framework.

The Cooling Point project is also part of the Berlin Heat Protection Platform and is being developed further by Lageso, with plans to implement spray mist technology from 2026. At the opening, gießkannen (pitchers) were placed on the seats of the Cooling Point's annex.

Daniel Sagebiel, a Referatsleiter (department head) at the Landesamt für Gesundheit und Soziales, and Manuela Anders-Granitzki, the stellvertretende Bezirksbürgermeisterin (deputy district mayor) of Berlin, were also in attendance at the opening ceremony.

The operation of the Cooling Point will continue until mid-October, offering much-needed relief from the summer heat for Mauerpark's visitors. This initiative is a significant step towards creating a more resilient city that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Science plays a crucial role in the development of the Cooling Point, as environmental-science and climate-change research are essential to understanding and addressing heat waves in urban areas. The health-and-wellness benefits of the Cooling Point, which offers a shaded, green area for people to rest and drink cool water, are also important as heatwaves pose significant health risks.

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