The city of Hagen has commissioned EPC gGmbH to facilitate and structure the process for the pilot project “Cool down Eastside – Heat Mitigation Strategies for the Neighborhood Around the Main Train Station.” The project is part of the nationwide research program “Urban Heat Labs, ”which is funded by the BBSR as part of the ExWoSt initiative and supports model projects on heat prevention throughout Germany. A key focus of the project is to translate existing analyses and tools into a workable framework, clarify responsibilities and decision-making processes, and leverage synergies with urban renewal and land-use planning. The neighborhood around Hagen’s main train station is characterized by nearly complete soil sealing, large-scale transportation and rail infrastructure, and a low proportion of green space, making it a pronounced urban heat island area. At the same time, the area is marked by the dominance of infrastructure, a fragmented ownership structure, and social challenges.
Process facilitation combines expert guidance with an engaging participatory and communication process that involves local government, property owners, infrastructure stakeholders, business owners, and vulnerable groups. The goal is to strengthen municipal planning and communication processes related to urban heat mitigation, involve private stakeholders, and permanently embed heat mitigation into the governance framework of neighborhood development.
EPC gGmbH is responsible, in particular, for the following tasks:
- Design and Management of an Integrated Process Architecture for the Neighborhood
- Analysis of the landscape of stakeholders and committees, and development of target audience profiles
- Design and facilitation of workshops, expert discussions, and in-depth participatory formats
- Development of a Target-Audience-Specific Communication and Engagement Strategy
- Reaching Out to and Engaging Property Owners and Key Stakeholders
- Cross-media public relations and design of communication materials
- Project Management, Reporting, and Knowledge Transfer in the Research Project
