German towns Bensheim and Kelsterbach push green measures amid heatwave

In Bensheim, the Zweckverband Kommunalwirtschaft Mittlere Bergstraße (KMB) appealed to residents to water street trees, planting beds and green strips during the ongoing heat wave. It also launched a "Beet sucht Paten" sponsorship programme for citizens whose property borders public green areas, offering compensation based on the size and type of care performed.

In the Kelsterbach‑Raunheim industrial zone, the EU‑funded IB‑Green pilot aims to curb extreme temperatures that can be 10‑15 °C above the municipal average. The HLNUG‑led project proposes green façades, roofs, fence plantings, additional tree planting, de‑sealing of surfaces and rain‑water storage systems to improve the micro‑climate, protect workers and enhance the site’s long‑term economic resilience.