On 12 September 2024, a one-day network workshop ‘A City Livable For All: Positive Future Scenarios For Berlin’ – organised with the support of the CCC – took place at the University of the Arts to apply for an Einstein Center Climate Change. Over 40 scientists from universities in Berlin and Potsdam, who had previously submitted outlines on the topic of ‘Grow your ideas for urban climate solutions’, shared their research approaches and ideas with each other.
At six thematic tables, the researchers worked on possible solutions from different perspectives, such as with a focus on nature, infrastructure or social issues, from a cross-sectoral and politics – perspective or with a focus on resources or (weather-)extremes. In several feedback rounds and different topic constellations, they further developed these solution ideas and discussed how climate mitigation and adaptation could be advanced in Berlin in order to make the city liveable for everyone in the future.
Together, they elaborated on these ideas and discussed how climate mitigation and adaptation could be advanced in Berlin in order to make the city liveable for everyone in the future. With the help of the workshop, a research team consisting of eight scientists was put together, who will now submit the application for an Einstein Center Climate Change from 2026 bis 2031.
Prof. Dr. Mazda Adli, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Head research division Affective disorders
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Faas, Freie Universität Berlin, Professor of Political Science at the Otto Suhr Institute of Political Science
Prof. Timothée Ingen-Housz, Universität der Künste Berlin, Professor of Dramaturgy and Audiovisual Communication at the Institute of Time-Based Media
Prof. Dr. Tobia Lakes, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Professor of applied Geoinformation at the Geography Institute
Prof. Dr. Birgit Milius, Technische Universität Berlin, Professor of Railway operations and infrastructure at the Institute of Land and Sea Transport Systems
Prof. Dr. Jan Polivka, Technische Universität Berlin, Professor of Urban Renewal, Sustainable Development at the Institute of Urban and Regional Planning
Prof. Dr. Dörthe Tetzlaff, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Professor of Ecohydrology at the Geography Institute
Prof. Dr. Britta Tietjen, Freie Universität Berlin, Professor of Theoretical Ecology at the Institute of biology
The planned Einstein Center Climate Change (ECCC), which is currently being funded as a preparatory module, aims to develop innovative solutions for climate-related challenges in cities. The focus is on adapting urban environments to the climate crisis. The city of Berlin serves as a case study for researching and developing approaches that can be transferred to other urban areas. In doing so, both gradual changes to existing systems as well as far-reaching transformations are being focussed on. The aim is to ensure sustainable and climate-neutral urban development that protects human well-being.
The ECCC will explore technical, social, political and environmental, biodiversity challenges across spatio-temporal scales following an inter- and transdisciplinary approach. Scientific findings will be translated into concrete strategies and measures and possible synergies and conflicts between different measures will be identified and analysed to ensure holistic planning.
