Third party funded individual grant
Acronym: ANK-DAS-B.1
Start date : 01.04.2025
End date : 31.03.2028
Website: https://www.green-office.fau.de/2024/12/17/foerderung-fuer-ein-klimaanpassungskonzept/
The Erlangen South campus of Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (FAU) is home to the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering. On this approximately 48‑hectare site, the following objectives are to be achieved as part of the concept development:
Development of a campus tree list with woody plants that are climate‑resilient, suitable for the specific site conditions (solar radiation, degree of sealing, soil characteristics), require little maintenance and promote biodiversity
Preparation of an action guideline for the development of blue‑green infrastructure that specifically takes into account the context of sealed surfaces, soil moisture measurements, soil characteristics, proven woody species and maintenance measures
Establishment of a voluntary engagement management scheme to optimally integrate the commitment of interested members of the university in maintaining campus greenery
Public outreach and targeted education for people visiting the campus at newly created adaptation areas in order to convey the necessity of nature‑based climate adaptation, the new aesthetics and the benefits for their health (favourable local microclimate, cool air islands).
The large number of students and their fluctuation offers the potential to train multipliers who can raise awareness of the necessity of nature‑based adaptation (protection against heavy rainfall events and extreme heat), the benefits of nature‑based climate action (CO₂ sequestration, reduced need for air conditioning) and biodiversity conservation (strengthening resilience).
FAU’s Erlangen South campus, covering around 48 hectares and hosting the Faculty of Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering, faces substantial challenges due to climate change and high levels of urban sealing. As part of the concept development, the project aims to identify climate‑resilient tree and shrub species and compile them in a campus tree list, design an action guideline for blue‑green infrastructure that reflects local sealing, soil moisture and soil properties, and establish a voluntary engagement management scheme for the maintenance of campus green spaces. In addition, public outreach and educational activities will be implemented at new adaptation sites to communicate the importance of nature‑based climate adaptation, the changed aesthetics of the landscape and the health benefits of a favourable microclimate. By actively involving the large and dynamic student population, the project seeks to train multipliers for nature‑based adaptation, climate action and biodiversity conservation and thereby strengthen the long‑term resilience of the campus.