Tübingen in the Climate Change: Urban Climate Analysis as the Basis for Climate Adaptation

Climate Change in Tübingen: A City in Transition

In April 2026, the results of the urban climate analysis were in the spotlight in Tübingen. This analysis was not only a technical report, but also a central building block for future climate adaptation in the university city. The findings show how climate change is already affecting the local climate and what measures are needed to prepare the city for the future.

Cold Air Flows as Natural Cooling

A central finding of the analysis is the importance of cold air flows for the urban microclimate. Tübingen benefits greatly from nocturnal cold air outflows from the Schönbuch and the Rammert. In addition, cool air masses flow along the Goldersbachtal, the Steinlach, and the Bühler Tal into the city, reducing thermal and air hygiene stress.

These flows are particularly active in the first half of the night and contribute to cooling the residential areas. In the Neckartal, a weak flow direction along the river forms, while cold air flows in the Ammertal collect minor outflows and direct them into the city center. The results largely align with the cold air study from 2013/2019, indicating that the structure of the cold air outflows has remained stable.

Heat Stress: Differences Between Day and Night

The urban climate analysis clearly shows that heat stress in Tübingen varies between day and night. During the day, the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) is used as a measure, while at night, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) is considered. In heavily sealed industrial areas and open spaces such as the Marktplatz or north-south-oriented streets, high to very high PET values occur.

Areas with low shading from urban trees, especially in new development areas like the Alten Güterbahnhof, also reach very high values. In contrast, the densely built old town benefits from the shading of buildings, keeping heat stress at a moderate level. The city's predominantly green character ensures a moderate heat stress during the day compared to other large cities.

At night, however, a different picture emerges: the old town, the southern city center, and parts of the Südstadt show a significant overheating of up to 5 K. Districts on slopes, on the other hand, show only low UHI values. The surrounding suburbs show moderate overheating in town centers and industrial areas, while the outskirts are hardly affected.

Climate Adaptation: From Analysis to Planning

The results of the urban climate analysis are not only important for raising public awareness, but also serve as a basis for urban planning and the climate adaptation strategy. The city plans to publish the key findings on its official website and has already presented the results to the Tübingen Heat Protection Alliance at the end of February 2026.

The analysis is being considered in urban development planning and high-rise construction to design future projects in a climate-friendly manner. In addition, measures to raise public awareness and adapt to heat events are to be intensified. The study was funded to 65% by the state funding program KLIMOPASS, which shows that climate adaptation is also a priority at the state level.

Outlook: Tübingen as a Model for Climate Adaptation

The urban climate analysis of April 2026 is more than just a technical report – it is a key milestone on the way to a climate-resilient city. With the publication of the results and their integration into planning processes, Tübingen is sending an important signal to other municipalities. The findings show how important it is to include climatic factors in urban planning early on in order to ensure the quality of life of citizens in a changing climate.