Design of a biometeorological observation network following environmental justice guidelines for urban spaces - a case study in Dortmund, Germany

Climate change presents significant challenges for urban areas, with heat waves posing a critical threat to urban resilience and liveability. Urban stakeholders must adopt data-driven approaches to ensure equitable transformation of urban spaces while addressing environmental justice challenges. This study examines the distribution and quality of green spaces in Dortmund, Germany, through the lens of environmental justice, focusing on their societal value, accessibility, and role in mitigating heat exposure for vulnerable populations.

The study further assesses the contribution of the Data2Resilience (D2R) biometeorological observation network, designed to provide high-resolution, near-surface climate data, to support equitable climate resilience efforts in Dortmund. Building on prior analyses of green space availability in Dortmund, we integrate demographic and vulnerability data to identify deficiencies in green space distribution and quality, where we include demand and supply criteria and quality characteristics, such as recreational features and noise pollution. The findings are synthesized into comprehensive maps, offering insights into environmental inequalities across Dortmund’s districts.

We found disparities in green space distribution and quality, with socioeconomically disadvantaged districts often underserved. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance green space accessibility and functionality, emphasizing their role in fostering environmental justice and climate resilience. Further the D2R network’s spatial distribution contributes to the increased representation and visibility of vulnerable and undersupplied hot spots in Dortmund and therefore builds a foundation for the application of data-driven actions and measures towards an environmental just urban space.