In the fight against climate change, the Eastern Styrian district capital of Weiz has recently started using drones. They should help to optimize the urban microclimate by identifying urban heat islands. The project started on Tuesday with the first drone flight – just in time for the start of the Hoch “Jürgen” heat.
The project was developed together with the Weiz-Gleisdorf energy region and the WEIZ Innovation Center to prepare the municipality, which has about 12,000 inhabitants, for future heat waves: “In Weiz, the microclimate and the quality of the stay must be improved in the long run. time for the citizens.This requires the right data and facts,” explains the technical director of the city of Weiz, Gerd Holzer.
In collaboration with the Gleisdorf Institute for Sustainable Technologies, a digital and interactive 3D model of the city has been developed to make heat islands graphically visible. Conventional measurement methods were previously only suitable for such a complex undertaking to a limited extent. At the same time, the city model must show the cooling effect of concrete construction or greening measures. In this way, Weiz could design the inner-city areas in a climate-friendly way in the future.
Climate Change Adaptation
“With this process, we open up completely new possibilities for efficient and effective adaptation to climate change. At the same time, we are taking it to the countryside for the first time and thus playing a pioneering role throughout Austria,” said the manager of the Weiz-Gleisdorf energy region, Christian Hütter.
The drone of service provider Skyability took off on Tuesday and took about 800 photos with special thermal imagers and multispectral cameras. The material is now evaluated and incorporated into the 3D model. The council eagerly awaits the results.
“Proceed wisely with environmental measures”
Deputy Mayor Oswin Donnerer (SPÖ) emphasized the city’s focus on tree planting, which dates back to the 1990s: “This project is the sensible continuation of the environmental measures that have been taken in the city of Weiz for 30 years. 1,300 trees have already been planted and between 50 and 60 trees are added every year.”
Styria’s second largest city, Leoben, has also recently started using digital tools to record trees: using drones, mobile laser scanners and highly sensitive cameras, it could be possible to determine by how many degrees Celsius a park with trees cools the adjacent area
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
