Cooling off with water and trees: The heart of the renewed park at the Innsbruck Exhibition Center is a central water landscape, which makes it possible to feel and experience the cooling of the square. The urban climate model project “Cool-INN” is accompanied by Manfred Kleidorfer and Yannick Back at the Department of Environmental Technology at the University of Innsbruck and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna. The aim is to collect scientific findings on the subject of urban cooling. After the successful planning and implementation, the new trade fair park is now being closely observed by the researchers: “After the opening, it is now a matter of seeing how the park is accepted by the people and how well the microclimate on the square is affected by the Developed water elements. To do this, we carry out automated monitoring with, for example, ground sensors as well as temperature and wind measurements,” explains Manfred Kleidorfer. In addition, targeted measurement campaigns will be carried out over the next few months: “We will be using thermal imaging cameras with which we can measure the perceived temperature as well as the respective surface temperatures,” says Kleidorfer. The results will flow into further projects of a similar nature – as they are already being considered for Innsbruck – and form a kind of guideline for the optimal cooling of urban spaces. Yannick Back was awarded the IKB Research Promotion Prize for his work on “Cool-INN” at the end of last year.

Exemplary climate protection

At a ceremony in the presence of LH-Stv. Ingrid Felipe, Mayor Georg Willi, representatives of city politics and all partners involved in the project such as the IKB and the University of Innsbruck, the park was officially handed over in mid-May. “I am very pleased that we were able to massively upgrade the formerly deserted square with the redesign. Today’s opening and those running until the end of August Event series climate salon is intended to make the stay in the new park palatable for the people of Innsbruck. I invite everyone to come in and see for themselves the advantages of this cool oasis in the middle of the city,” explained Mayor Georg Willi at the opening. And the responsible deputy governor Ingrid Felipe describes the area redesigned as part of the “cool-INN” project as a “prime example in terms of climate protection and climate change adaptation”. “The exhibition park not only created a friendly public space for encounters, the project is also exemplary for a municipal transport and environmental policy that is adapted to the requirements of climate change. With the new trade fair stop and the trade fair park, we have implemented two innovative projects in the immediate vicinity that people use and are good for the city climate. “More quality of life in Innsbruck through deceleration and targeted promotion of the environmental network, specifically walking and cycling, is what Uschi Schwarzl, the city councilor responsible for civil engineering and the environment, is hoping for. “A green park has emerged from a gray area. For the first time we have dismantled a road that is mainly used by cars. It can now only be used by bike or on foot. The new course of the street and the extension or widening of the sidewalks now allow more life around the exhibition center and the viaduct arches in Saggen and Dreiheligen.” The Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund (KEF), Theresia Vogel, also sees the exhibition park as a showcase project as part of the nationwide climate strategy. The consequences of the climate crisis are particularly noticeable due to the increasing number of weather events in the Alpine region. “Sealing and surface damage by car traffic are also driving temperatures up. At the same time, many interests meet in the city: some want to get from A to B quickly, others want to enjoy peace and quiet in the shade in public spaces. cool-INN reconciles all these topics thanks to clever planning across disciplines and is therefore a beacon for sustainable urban development.” Cool-INN was funded by the KEF with around 500,000 euros.

ISLA BONITA SCRAP

Executed in cooperation with the city of Innsbruck and Innsbruck Marketing ./studio3, Institute for Experimental Architecture with students as part of their bachelor thesis an urban space sculpture for the events in the context of the climate salon. The sculpture “ISLA BONITA SCRAP“ consists of re-use and sustainable materials. The Klimasalon series of events offers a varied program for young and old until the end of August. The first highlight was the Archery Festival on Saturday, May 21st, which, like all events, took place in and around the park and attracted thousands of visitors.