Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP
Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP

Pilot Project: Climate Adaptation in Cultural Institutions

Senckenberg Naturmuseum
© Fraunhofer IBP
Auch das Senckenberg Naturmuseum wird im Rahmen des Projektes untersucht.

Climate change has significant impacts on our lives. Over the next few decades, extreme weather events such as heat waves, heavy rain, and flooding will continue to increase. In addition, gradual changes such as the shifting of precipitation patterns and rising annual average temperatures with more extreme heat days in the future are expected. As part of the pilot project “Climate Adaptation in Cultural Institutions”, 20 cultural institutions, including museums, libraries, theaters, socio-cultural institutions and park facilities, are being examined with regard to their vulnerability to location-specific climate-related changes, and climate adaptation measures are being developed. Based on these assessments, tailored adaption measures will be developed, considering structural, organizational, and programmatic potentials. The project focuses not only on protecting people, but also on safeguarding the buildings themselves and their often historically valuable interiors.

Project goals

The pilot project aims to strengthen the resilience of the cultural institutions examined against the effects of climate change. In view of the threats posed by heavy rainfall, flooding, and extreme heat waves, customized climate adaptation concepts will be developed together with each institution, tailored to their specific local risks.

In addition, the project promotes the exchange between the institutions and experts to expand knowledge and skills. The aim is to establish climate adaptation as an integral part of modern cultural management in Germany and to develop impulses and guidelines for action for the cultural sector in general, beyond the institutions examined. Cultural institutions can play a key role in municipal adaptation strategies, for example by providing public shelters during heat waves. However, without proper adaption, they may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Status of the project

For all participating cultural institutions, site-specific climate projections are evaluated using various parameters such as summer heat, heavy rain, and storms. Two future time periods (2041 to 2070 and 2071 to 2085) and two representative concentration paths (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) are considered in comparison to the historical situation. Based on these projections, on-site assessments of the cultural institutions are conducted, accompanied by an intensive exchange with local stakeholders. The insights gained from this process are currently being compiled into institution-specific climate risk profiles, which will be used as the foundation for developing climate adaptation measures. In addition, project-related workshops will be held to build climate awareness and knowledge within the cultural institutions.

Project partners

  • adelphi consult GmbH
  • Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Building in Climate Change
  • L-A-E Landschaftsarchitekten Ehrig & Partner