Climate Resilience in Schermbeck: Rainwater Decoupling in Gahlen in Focus

Climate Protection in Practice: Schermbeck Invests in Rainwater Decoupling

Amid the challenges posed by climate change, the city of Schermbeck is relying on technical and infrastructural measures to remain climate-resilient in the long term. A key focus of its adaptation strategy is the decoupling of rainwater in Gahlen. The aim is to reduce pressure on the sewer system and thus minimize damage caused by heavy rainfall.

Overview of Measures: 17 Projects for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

The city is planning a total of 17 construction projects for rainwater decoupling within the Gahlen area. These projects are part of the funding program "Climate-Resilient Region with International Reach (KRiS)" and are scheduled to be implemented by 2032. The planned measures include, for example, the installation of permeable paving or grass pavers on municipal surfaces such as roads, sidewalks, squares, and green spaces.

A central goal is to disconnect 25% of sealed surfaces from the combined sewer. This helps to relieve the sewer system and reduce the need for maintenance measures. The total cost of all projects amounts to 8.56 million euros.

Funding and Trade-Offs: Compromises on the Street?

The funding for the maintenance measures necessary to relieve the sewer system is fully covered by the fee budget. The city emphasizes that rainwater decoupling represents a cost-effective alternative to pure sewer rehabilitation.

Nevertheless, there are challenges. The implementation of these measures can lead to changes in the existing infrastructure – for example, parking spaces might be lost. Nevertheless, the administration stresses that such limitations should not lead to the abandonment of the measures. The balancing act between infrastructure needs and climate protection remains central.

The Way Forward: Planning and Participation

The current planning status is regularly presented to the specialist committee to ensure transparency and citizen participation. In addition, a general drainage plan (GEP) is required for the Gahlen area, which will recalculate the impacts of the measures on the drainage network and the operational point.

These measures represent a milestone in Schermbeck's climate protection strategy. They demonstrate how municipalities can save costs in the long term through preventive infrastructure investments while at the same time coping with climate change.

Outlook: From Gahlen to Schermbeck?

The experiences gained in Gahlen could be extended to other city districts in the future. The implementation of the KRiS program has a pilot character, showing how climate protection can be concretely implemented in urban planning. Schermbeck thus proves that even small cities can contribute to climate resilience through innovative measures.