How can growth and sustainability be combined? In the context of the key theme CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE, IBA will answer the big question about a climate-compatible future for the metropolis.
More than half of the world population lives on two percent of the earth´s surface and causes 80 percent of CO2 emissions – hence cities are the main cause of the climate change. But they are also the victims because the majority of towns are located near the coast and are threatened by a rise in sea level, a consequence of climate change.
The cities can, however, also do the most to combat climate change. They must change their energy sources, moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energies.
Decentralised rather than centralised
In cities, energy can be generated particularly efficiently directly by the consumers. IBA has compiled an energy concept for self-sufficient supply in buildings. Additional energy import into cities, for example for industrial needs, comes from the region and is not primarily derived from new megastructures like off-shore wind farms. In this way, the income and jobs remain in the city.
Enhanced climate protection concept
The IBA projects for new energy efficient buildings, for renovation of existing buildings and for the generation of renewable energies are the first steps towards implementing the comprehensive climate protection concept Renewable Wilhelmsburg by 2013. This route, especially the sponsoring of energy rehabilitation in existing buildings as part of the “Prima-Klima-Anlage“ campaign, must also be consistently pursued after the IBA ends, so that the vision of a climate-neutral district as a model for the future of the metropolis will become reality.