Re: Hydrate | Integrating Sponge City principles through early design stage microclimate simulations to optimize for climate resilient and pedestrian friendly urban spaces - A design exploration of Gängeviertel in Hamburg, Germany: Integrating Sponge City principles through early design stage microclimate simulations to optimize for climate resilient and pedestrian friendly urban spaces – A design exploration of Gängeviertel in Hamburg, Germany
Authors
Eckmaier, Tobias ; Niedziolka, Tim Enrico
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-05-28
Pages
115
Abstract
This thesis explores how to apply Sponge City principles—designing places that soak up, store, and reuse rainwater—and improve thermal comfort (how comfortable temperatures feel for people) early in the urban design process to create climate-resilient, user-friendly public spaces. It uses microclimate simulation (computer models of sun, wind, and temperature at street scale) and multi-objective optimization of rainwater-management systems (balancing goals like flood control, cooling, and usability) to support decisions based on measurable performance. Focusing on the dynamic site between the Gängeviertel and Brahmsquartier, the project shows how to respect a site’s cultural dynamics while integrating green infrastructure, water-retention measures, and nature-based solutions in a dense urban setting. Through a data-driven, iterative process informed by the Integrated Design Process, the thesis presents a design proposal demonstrating that small, targeted interventions can add up to city-wide climate resilience. Finally, it outlines a transferable framework, the Sponge City Toolbox, for use in other compact urban contexts, positioning the work as a pilot for climate-sensitive cities of the future.
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan man tidligt i bydesign kan anvende Sponge City-principper—at indrette steder, så de opsuger, lagrer og genbruger regnvand—og forbedre termisk komfort (hvor behagelig temperaturen opleves) for at skabe klimarobuste og brugervenlige byrum. Det bruger mikroklimasimuleringer (computerbaserede modeller af sol, vind og temperatur i gadeniveau) og multiobjektiv optimering af regnvandshåndtering (afvejning af mål som oversvømmelsessikring, køling og anvendelighed) til at understøtte beslutninger baseret på målbar ydeevne. Med det dynamiske område mellem Gängeviertel og Brahmsquartier som case viser projektet, hvordan man kan respektere stedets kulturelle dynamikker og samtidig integrere grøn infrastruktur, vandtilbageholdelse og naturbaserede løsninger i en tæt bykontekst. Gennem en datadrevet, iterativ proces med Integrated Design Process som ramme præsenterer specialet et designforslag, der viser, at små, målrettede indgreb kan bidrage til klimamål i hele byen. Afslutningsvis skitseres en overførbar ramme, Sponge City Toolbox, til brug i andre tætte byområder, som kan fungere som pilot for fremtidens klimasensitive byer.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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