The first quarter of 2023 has been a whirlwind of activity for the CityCLIM consortium, with February and March dedicated to rigorous report writing and documentation. Nearly a dozen deliverables were prepared to provide the commission with insights into the progress and milestones achieved within the CityCLIM project. This period has been marked by significant advancements in both reporting and developing early prototypes for innovative climate services.
Key Achievements in the First Quarter of 2023
The start of 2023 has been notably productive, focusing on the development of two major service categories: Citizen Climate Knowledge Services and City Administration Services. These services aim to empower both citizens and city administrators with tools to better understand and manage urban climate challenges.
Citizen Sensation Engine and Sensation Map
One of the notable achievements is the implementation of the Citizen Sensation Engine and its resulting Sensation Map. This tool has been developed as a web widget, allowing easy integration across different pilot cities. The launch of this tool coincides with the commencement of Citizen Science activities, where pilot cities are actively seeking optimal locations for newly delivered weather stations. These stations are crucial for collecting localized data to support the Citizen Climate Knowledge Services.
Integrating New Services into the CityCLIM Framework
The consortium has been working diligently to integrate these evolving products and services into the broader CityCLIM framework. Several deliverables were completed to report on this progress, covering various aspects such as the General City Climate Platform (GCCP), Citizen Knowledge and Administration Services, space-borne data processors, and the Earth Observation (EO)-based Heat Island Identification. The detailed specification and setup for UltraHD have also been successfully completed, laying a strong foundation for future developments.
EO-based Heat Island Simulation and Mitigation Strategies Service
A significant development within CityCLIM is the EO-based Heat Island Simulation and Mitigation Strategies Service, a scenario tool developed by OHB System AG (OHB SYS). This tool allows users from city administrations or the public to explore how changes in urban characteristics—such as surface material, urban greenery, water surfaces, or building geometry—affect Land Surface Temperature (LST) in a city.
In its early prototype phase, the CityCLIM model can predict LST based on various urban characteristics. Over the coming months, the model will undergo further refinement, incorporating 3D urban morphology parameters and additional scenario facilities. The ultimate goal is to fully integrate this engine into the CityCLIM platform, offering a robust tool for urban heat mitigation planning.
General City Climate Platform (GCCP) Progress
Work on the General City Climate Platform (GCCP) specification has been completed, allowing the consortium to shift focus to the implementation phase. The first phase of this implementation has already been realized, with early prototypes of GCCP components developed and installed by OHB Digital Services (OHB-DS) and ATB Bremen.
One of the key components implemented is the GCCP Identity Management System, which is managed by ATB Bremen. In collaboration with OHB-DS, City Climate Services have been integrated into the Identity Management system, enabling secure access through a single sign-on authentication process. In the coming months, further integration of various components will take place, along with iterative implementation of additional features from the GCCP specification to make the system ready for pilot use.
Advancements in Spaceborne Data Processing
While Northern Germany is not typically known for hot summers, the correlation between higher surface temperatures and man-made surfaces is evident even in this region. CityCLIM has tested algorithm prototypes for retrieving land surface temperatures from thermal infrared radiation by reprocessing data from the space-borne ASTER instrument. Although the 90-meter resolution of ASTER is too coarse to resolve fine urban features, it is adequate for highlighting the temperature differences between cities and their surroundings. Larger urban parks, such as Bremen's Bürgerpark, can be clearly identified, showcasing the cooling effects of urban greenery.
To capture more intricate urban details, CityCLIM is exploring other data sources like airborne sensors or next-generation satellite systems. These approaches may be further enhanced by algorithmic downscaling methods that utilize the empirical relationship between surface temperature and land cover. Both approaches are crucial to the CityCLIM project, aiming to provide more precise and actionable data for urban climate management.
Looking Ahead
As the CityCLIM project progresses, the consortium remains committed to refining its tools, integrating cutting-edge technologies, and working closely with pilot cities to address climate change challenges. With the development of innovative services like the Citizen Sensation Engine, the GCCP, and the EO-based Heat Island Simulation Service, CityCLIM continues to pave the way for smarter, data-driven urban climate solutions.
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