- Project management: Prof. Dr. Henny Annette Grewe Prof. Dr. Beate Blättner
- Research assistant: Vanessa Rosin M.Sc.
- Research assistant: Alice Helen Jordan
- Project partners: City of Worms, City Network Climate Alliance e.V., University Hospital Munich (LMU), Competence Centre for Climate Change Impacts Rhineland-Palatinate.
- Funding: Funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag within the framework of the BMU programme "Adaptation to Climate Change" with the focus on "Municipal Lighthouse Projects".
- Duration: 01.08.2020 - 31.07.2022
Fulda University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the scientific support of the project in three steps:
1) Preparation of the state of knowledge and experience on heat action plans.
Systematic collection and processing of the current state of knowledge on heat action plans and individual packages of measures and their sustainable implementation in municipalities. The research is based on the definition of core elements of a municipal heat action plan, the identification of all stakeholder groups that should be involved in the development and implementation of the plan, as well as basic findings from materials, recommendations and guidelines for action from other projects and models. Recommendations are also given on how to ensure a sustainable implementation of the heat action plan in Worms.
Milestone: Recommendations and action planning for the implementation of the Heat Action Plan are available.
2) Formative evaluation of project implementation (process evaluation)
Scientific monitoring and consultation of all processes during the two-year project period. Following the style of Grounded Theory, the collection and evaluation of data in the form of field notes and reminiscence or observation protocols will take place especially during the stakeholder participation and network building and in the establishment of the Heat Action Plan. In contrast to grounded theory, however, the coding is not completely open but reflects the research question and the predefined criteria. The style supports the desired formulation of intermediate results, which is essential for the adjustment of the heat action plan and its implementation. The aim is to gain insights into the need for optimisation in terms of sustainable implementation of the heat action plan. During the preparation of the plan, the University of Applied Sciences Fulda is available to provide advice with its expertise, especially in the development and structure of the heat action plan for Worms.
Milestones: The project team will be provided with information after months 6, 11, 16 and 21 that enabled the process of implementing the heat action plan in the city of Worms to be optimised and framework conditions to be created that make the effectiveness and sustainability of the measure more likely.
3) Summative evaluation of the project's impact
The summative evaluation is derived from the goal achievement model:
- Output: Efficient communication structures and activities in acute cases and the establishment of medium and long-term strategies.
- Acceptance: The effectiveness of the Heat Action Plan will also depend on the assessments and evaluations of the users and addressees.
- Outcome: the reduction of morbidity and mortality during hot spells. Only at the output level can results already be achieved during the project period. Therefore, the aim of the work package is to develop a concept for the long-term evaluation of the heat action plan under criteria 2 and 3 in addition to statements on the output. Depending on the results of the evaluation, Climate Alliance and the City of Worms will adapt the plan and jointly develop a controlling concept for the time after the end of the project.
Milestone: Results for the output and evaluation concept for the outcome are available.