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Mehr Nachhaltigkeit durch gekoppelte Infrastrukturen

Leitfaden für Kommunen

Publication
Citation

Olfert, Alfred et al. 2021: Mehr Nachhaltigkeit durch gekoppelte Infrastrukturen. Leifaden für Kommunen. Umweltbundesamt: Dessau-Roßlau.

The guideline "More sustainability through coupled infrastructures" presents a comprehensive approach on how municipalities can make their infrastructure systems more sustainable through innovative sector coupling. It emphasizes the role of new technical possibilities and the need for a systemic perspective in order to fully exploit the potential of infrastructures and focus on long-term sustainability.

Innovative solutions through sector coupling

The guide discusses how sector coupling, in which different infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, waste and ICT are networked, can lead to a more efficient use of resources. For example, the heat from wastewater can be used to generate energy or energy generation and distribution can be optimized through intelligent network solutions. These approaches not only increase energy efficiency, but also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Challenges and opportunities of coupled infrastructures

While coupled infrastructures offer significant environmental and economic benefits, they also present new challenges, particularly in terms of system complexity and susceptibility to failure. The guide discusses how these challenges can be overcome through comprehensive planning, user involvement and adaptation of technical and organizational structures. It also highlights the need to promote public acceptance and involve local stakeholders in the transformation process.

Municipal policy measures to promote sustainable infrastructures

Finally, concrete measures are proposed for local policy to actively support the development and implementation of coupled infrastructure solutions. These include the promotion of innovation spaces, the creation of legal and financial incentives and support through knowledge exchange and training. The guideline emphasizes that a proactive role for local politics is crucial in order to successfully set the course for sustainable infrastructures.

The interlinking of different infrastructure sectors through sector coupling leads not only to a more efficient use of resources and a reduction in environmental impact, but also brings with it new technological and social challenges.

More content from this project

Language
German
Authorship
Dr. Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers
Alfred Olfert (IÖR)
Georg Schiller (IÖR)
Katharina Hölscher (DRIFT)
Julia Wittmayer (DRIFT)
Jörg Walther (BTU)
Inke Schauser (UBA)
Funding
Published by
Year
Dimension
28 pp.
ISSN
2363-832X
Project
Project ID
Table of contents
Keywords
Infrastructures, sector coupling, sustainability transformation, municipal climate protection, environmental technology, smart infrastructure systems, urban sustainability initiatives, municipal energy efficiency, infrastructure management, resource-efficient cities, sustainable urban development, green technologies, future-proof infrastructure, urban resilience strategies
Germany, Steinfurt district, Waiblingen, Hamm, Prenzlau, Norderstedt, Allgäu
Sector coupling, sustainability check, demand side management (DSM)

Source URL: https://www.ecologic.eu/19657