Germany: Scientific evaluation of projects on the adaptation of urban spaces to climate change.

With the federal program "Adaptation of Urban Spaces to Climate Change", financed from the Energy and Climate Fund (EKF), the Federal Government promotes conceptual and investment projects with high effectiveness for climate protection (CO2 reduction) and climate adaptation with high technical quality, with above-average investment volume or with high innovation potential. The Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB), formerly BMI, has commissioned the Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR; hereinafter referred to as AG) to implement and support the funding program. One task of program implementation is the evaluation of the funded projects, in particular with regard to their effectiveness for climate protection and adaptation. A suitable scientific support agency (hereinafter referred to as AN) is being sought for this purpose. As a result of the evaluation, the success and quality of the funding measure should be presented to the BMWSB and recommendations for future program goals should be derived. The expected findings are also required for the preparation of the business plan and for the contribution to the annual EKF report to the Bundestag. At the same time, the findings of the specialist public should be made available and impulses for municipal planning practice should be given.

The federal program sees itself as the federal government's contribution to climate-friendly urban development through targeted development and modernization of the (blue-)green infrastructure. Urban greenery (greenery along roads, parks and gardens) in densely populated urban areas is particularly threatened by climate change, and is also subject to high usage pressure. Due to the increasing climatic changes, ecological and social challenges meet here, which require a new, integrated approach and testing. Funding is provided for plant and structural investments as well as investment-preparatory, accompanying and conceptual measures in urban open spaces, which maintain and further develop their vitality and functional diversity. With exemplary and forward-looking investments, resilience to the consequences of climate change should be strengthened and greenhouse gas reduction should be contributed. Integrated planning and development as well as a natural, biodiverse, multifunctional design must also take into account the many other requirements for green and open spaces. This applies, for example, to the high importance of health care, as a social meeting place, as a biotope network and for sustainable mobility. Public accessibility is also an essential requirement.

The job of the contractor we are looking for is to evaluate the funding program. For this purpose, the approximately 250 funding projects (both tranches 2020 and 2021) are to be examined.

The assessment system for sustainable building for outdoor facilities (BNB-AA 2016), which is to be adapted to the program, provides a basis for the evaluation design. In particular, for the issues of climate protection and climate adaptation that are the focus of the evaluation, indicators used in research and municipal practice should be checked by the contractor for their suitability and converted into an adequate quantitative indicator set.

Note: Language(s) that may be used in the tender or request to participate: German

Published on 17 October 2022.