The junior research group GRUSS (Geoinformatics for climate Resilient Urban SystemS) is funded by the Volkswagen foundation as a Freigeist Fellowship for six years, starting fall 2022. Our work combines (big) data science with geospatial data to study the impacts of urbanization and climate change on society and nature. Particular interest is on the role of the built environment on atmospheric, surface, and subsurface temperature disparities.
Our project with the State of Hesse, which focuses on strengthening climate protection and adaptation through remote sensing, was awarded first prize in the category ‘Sustainability through Digitalization and IT’ at the 24th eGovernment Competition. Read the project report here
Read it here
Join GRUSS on a climate tour through Karlsruhe, you’ll measure temperatures yourself, discover heat islands, and learn how local climate zones emerge. With a thermometer instead of a guidebook, you’ll become a researcher, collecting real climate data.
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Together with Sina Keller, Susanne Benz was part of an ARD/SWR report on urban heat. Together they analyzed the percentage of sealed surfaces in German cities, discussing the impact of planning decisions on local climate.
Read it here| Name | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benz, Susanne | susanne benz ∂does-not-exist.kit edu |
| Name | Homepage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. | Khan, Basit | basit khan ∂does-not-exist.nyu edu | https://nyuad.nyu.edu/en/research/faculty-labs-and-projects/access/basit-khan.html |
Teaching
Courses taught in the RSGI, GuG, and other Master programs:
- Fortgeschrittene Konzepte in GIS (WS)
- GIS-Analysen (SS)
- Big Data and Machine Learning (Grace)
- Seminar RSGI (WS/SS)
A list of currently offered topics for student's thesis can be found at Suggested Topics for Student’s Thesis
Publication Record
2025
Modeling Impacts of Subsurface Thermal Anomalies on Atmospheric Energy Fluxes in Berlin, Germany Using PALM-4U
Glocke, P. E.; Holst, C. C.; Benz, S. A.
2025, May 9. doi:10.35097/etkq6pb7j6n6fje9
Glocke, P. E.; Holst, C. C.; Benz, S. A.
2025, May 9. doi:10.35097/etkq6pb7j6n6fje9
Temporal and spatial patterns of heat extremes in Hesse, Germany
Krikau, S.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Environmental Research Communications, 7 (5), 051001. doi:10.1088/2515-7620/adce59
Krikau, S.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Environmental Research Communications, 7 (5), 051001. doi:10.1088/2515-7620/adce59
Heizung der Zukunft - lässt sich Sommerhitze in der Stadt recyclen?
Zachmann, G.; Benz, S.
2025. doi:10.5445/IR/1000180445
Zachmann, G.; Benz, S.
2025. doi:10.5445/IR/1000180445
Assessing coupling between soil temperature and potential air temperature using PALM-4U: implications for idealized scenarios
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Earth System Dynamics, 16 (1), 55–74. doi:10.5194/esd-16-55-2025
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Earth System Dynamics, 16 (1), 55–74. doi:10.5194/esd-16-55-2025
Long-term ecological monitoring of city trees as tool in urban transformation towards Blue Greeninfrastructure
Fröhlich, K.; Friesen, J.; Roy, S. D.; Benz, S.; Chakraborty, T.; Totzki, J.; Saha, S.
2025. European Forum on Urban Forestry (EFUF 2025), Zurich, Switzerland, June 3–7, 2025
Fröhlich, K.; Friesen, J.; Roy, S. D.; Benz, S.; Chakraborty, T.; Totzki, J.; Saha, S.
2025. European Forum on Urban Forestry (EFUF 2025), Zurich, Switzerland, June 3–7, 2025
Entwicklung von Planungshilfen für Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung in der räumlichen Gesamtplanung mittels Fernerkundung - Abschlussbericht
Keller, S.; Benz, S.; Jehling, M.; Böhnke, D.; Hager, G.; Wursthorn, S.; Gallacher, C.; Reiter, D.; Hänchen, L.; Kistner, F.; Krikau, S.; Schenk, A.; Hinz, S.
2025. Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Verkehr, Wohnen und ländlichen Raum. doi:10.5445/IR/1000182412
Keller, S.; Benz, S.; Jehling, M.; Böhnke, D.; Hager, G.; Wursthorn, S.; Gallacher, C.; Reiter, D.; Hänchen, L.; Kistner, F.; Krikau, S.; Schenk, A.; Hinz, S.
2025. Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Verkehr, Wohnen und ländlichen Raum. doi:10.5445/IR/1000182412
Tree monitoring as tool in urban transformation towards Blue-Green infrastructure
Fröhlich, K.; Friesen, J.; Dev Roy, S.; Benz, S.; Chakraborty, T.; Totzki, J.; Saha, S.
2025. European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU 2025), Vienna, Austria, April 27–May 2, 2025. doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10826
Fröhlich, K.; Friesen, J.; Dev Roy, S.; Benz, S.; Chakraborty, T.; Totzki, J.; Saha, S.
2025. European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU 2025), Vienna, Austria, April 27–May 2, 2025. doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10826
Modeling Impacts of Subsurface Thermal Anomalies on Atmospheric Energy Fluxes in Berlin, Germany Using PALM-4U
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Authorea. doi:10.22541/essoar.173924315.54140692/v1
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Benz, S. A.
2025. Authorea. doi:10.22541/essoar.173924315.54140692/v1
2024
Maßnahmen kommunaler Klimaanpassung - von Optionen zur räumlichen Verortung
Böhnke, D. H.; Benz, S. A.; Gallacher, C.; Keller, S.; Krikau, S.; Jehling, M.
2024, June 11. 16. Dresdner Flächennutzungssymposium (DFNS 2024), Dresden, Germany, June 11–12, 2024
Böhnke, D. H.; Benz, S. A.; Gallacher, C.; Keller, S.; Krikau, S.; Jehling, M.
2024, June 11. 16. Dresdner Flächennutzungssymposium (DFNS 2024), Dresden, Germany, June 11–12, 2024
Assessing Soil and Potential Air Temperature Coupling Using PALM-4U: Implications for Idealized Scenarios
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B. A.; Benz, S. A.
2024. Copernicus. doi:10.5194/egusphere-2024-1234
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B. A.; Benz, S. A.
2024. Copernicus. doi:10.5194/egusphere-2024-1234
A collaborative approach for the identification of thermal hot-spots: from remote sensing data to urban planning interventions
Gallacher, C.; Benz, S.; Boehnke, D.; Jehling, M.
2024. AGILE: GIScience Series, 5, Art.-Nr.: 23. doi:10.5194/agile-giss-5-23-2024
Gallacher, C.; Benz, S.; Boehnke, D.; Jehling, M.
2024. AGILE: GIScience Series, 5, Art.-Nr.: 23. doi:10.5194/agile-giss-5-23-2024
Global groundwater warming due to climate change
Benz, S. A.; Irvine, D. J.; Rau, G. C.; Bayer, P.; Menberg, K.; Blum, P.; Jamieson, R. C.; Griebler, C.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2024. Nature Geoscience, 17, 545–551. doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01453-x
Benz, S. A.; Irvine, D. J.; Rau, G. C.; Bayer, P.; Menberg, K.; Blum, P.; Jamieson, R. C.; Griebler, C.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2024. Nature Geoscience, 17, 545–551. doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01453-x
Impact of Subsurface Thermal Anomalies on Air Temperatures in Idealized Scenarios Using PALM-4U
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B. A.; Benz, S. A.
2024. EGU General Assembly 2024, Copernicus. doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3967
Glocke, P.; Holst, C. C.; Khan, B. A.; Benz, S. A.
2024. EGU General Assembly 2024, Copernicus. doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu24-3967
2023
Shallow groundwater temperature patterns revealed through a regional monitoring well network
Smith, K. A.; O’Sullivan, A. M.; Kennedy, G.; Benz, S. A.; Somers, L. D.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2023. Hydrological Processes, 37 (9), Art.-Nr.: e14975. doi:10.1002/hyp.14975
Smith, K. A.; O’Sullivan, A. M.; Kennedy, G.; Benz, S. A.; Somers, L. D.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2023. Hydrological Processes, 37 (9), Art.-Nr.: e14975. doi:10.1002/hyp.14975
Cold spots oder hot spots – Thermische Muster und Kaltluftabfluss auf Bergehalden im Ruhrgebiet = Thermal patterns and cold airflow on tailings piles in the Ruhr area
Grudzielanek, A. M.; Lemoine-Rodriguez, R.; Glocke, P.; Scholz, T.; Zepp, H.
2023. Berichte Geographie und Landeskunde, 96 (3), 189–214. doi:10.25162/bgl-2023-0010
Grudzielanek, A. M.; Lemoine-Rodriguez, R.; Glocke, P.; Scholz, T.; Zepp, H.
2023. Berichte Geographie und Landeskunde, 96 (3), 189–214. doi:10.25162/bgl-2023-0010
Thermal impact of underground car parks on urban groundwater
Noethen, M.; Hemmerle, H.; Menberg, K.; Epting, J.; Benz, S. A.; Blum, P.; Bayer, P.
2023. Science of The Total Environment, 903, Art.-Nr.: 166572. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166572
Noethen, M.; Hemmerle, H.; Menberg, K.; Epting, J.; Benz, S. A.; Blum, P.; Bayer, P.
2023. Science of The Total Environment, 903, Art.-Nr.: 166572. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166572
Impacts of Altered Human Activities due to COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollutants and Land Surface Temperatures across European Cities
Glocke, P.; Bechtel, B.; Sismanidis, P.
2023. 2023 Joint Urban Remote Sensing Event (JURSE), Heraklion, Greece, 17-19 May 2023, 1–4, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi:10.1109/JURSE57346.2023.10144137
Glocke, P.; Bechtel, B.; Sismanidis, P.
2023. 2023 Joint Urban Remote Sensing Event (JURSE), Heraklion, Greece, 17-19 May 2023, 1–4, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi:10.1109/JURSE57346.2023.10144137
Paired Air and Stream Temperature Analysis (PASTA) to Evaluate Groundwater Influence on Streams
Hare, D. K.; Benz, S. A.; Kurylyk, B. L.; Johnson, Z. C.; Terry, N. C.; Helton, A. M.
2023. Water Resources Research, 59 (4), e2022WR033912. doi:10.1029/2022WR033912
Hare, D. K.; Benz, S. A.; Kurylyk, B. L.; Johnson, Z. C.; Terry, N. C.; Helton, A. M.
2023. Water Resources Research, 59 (4), e2022WR033912. doi:10.1029/2022WR033912
Assessing the Cooling Potential of Tailing Piles for Urban Heat Mitigation in Germany’s Ruhr Metropolitan Area—A Case Study of the Rungenberg in Gelsenkrichen
Glocke, P.; Scholz, T.; Grudzielanek, A. M.
2023. Atmosphere, 14 (10), Art.-Nr.: 1492. doi:10.3390/atmos14101492
Glocke, P.; Scholz, T.; Grudzielanek, A. M.
2023. Atmosphere, 14 (10), Art.-Nr.: 1492. doi:10.3390/atmos14101492
Consideration of Altered Anthropogenic Behavior during the First Lockdown and Its Effects on Air Pollutants and Land Surface Temperature in European Cities
Glocke, P.; Bechtel, B.; Sismanidis, P.
2023. Atmosphere, 14 (6), Art.Nr.: 1025. doi:10.3390/atmos14061025
Glocke, P.; Bechtel, B.; Sismanidis, P.
2023. Atmosphere, 14 (6), Art.Nr.: 1025. doi:10.3390/atmos14061025
2022
Shallow subsurface heat recycling is a sustainable global space heating alternative
Benz, S. A.; Menberg, K.; Bayer, P.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2022. Nature Communications, 13, Article no: 3962. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31624-6
Benz, S. A.; Menberg, K.; Bayer, P.; Kurylyk, B. L.
2022. Nature Communications, 13, Article no: 3962. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31624-6
Disparate air pollution reductions during California’s COVID-19 economic shutdown
Bluhm, R.; Polonik, P.; Hemes, K. S.; Sanford, L. C.; Benz, S. A.; Levy, M. C.; Ricke, K. L.; Burney, J. A.
2022. Nature Sustainability, 5 (6), 509–517. doi:10.1038/s41893-022-00856-1
Bluhm, R.; Polonik, P.; Hemes, K. S.; Sanford, L. C.; Benz, S. A.; Levy, M. C.; Ricke, K. L.; Burney, J. A.
2022. Nature Sustainability, 5 (6), 509–517. doi:10.1038/s41893-022-00856-1
2021
Widespread Race and Class Disparities in Surface Urban Heat Extremes Across the United States
Benz, S. A.; Burney, J. A.
2021. Earth’s Future, 9 (7), e2021EF002016. doi:10.1029/2021EF002016
Benz, S. A.; Burney, J. A.
2021. Earth’s Future, 9 (7), e2021EF002016. doi:10.1029/2021EF002016
Drivers and projections of global surface temperature anomalies at the local scale
Benz, S. A.; Davis, S. J.; Burney, J. A.
2021. Environmental Research Letters, 16 (6), Article no: 064093. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac0661
Benz, S. A.; Davis, S. J.; Burney, J. A.
2021. Environmental Research Letters, 16 (6), Article no: 064093. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ac0661
Identifying key locations for shallow geothermal use in Vienna
Tissen, C.; Menberg, K.; Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Steiner, C.; Götzl, G.; Blum, P.
2021. Renewable energy, 167, 1–19. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.024
Tissen, C.; Menberg, K.; Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Steiner, C.; Götzl, G.; Blum, P.
2021. Renewable energy, 167, 1–19. doi:10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.024
Is thermal use of groundwater a pollution?
Blum, P.; Menberg, K.; Koch, F.; Benz, S. A.; Tissen, C.; Hemmerle, H.; Bayer, P.
2021. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 239, Art.-Nr.: 103791. doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103791
Blum, P.; Menberg, K.; Koch, F.; Benz, S. A.; Tissen, C.; Hemmerle, H.; Bayer, P.
2021. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 239, Art.-Nr.: 103791. doi:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103791
2019
Is heat a contaminant?
Blum, P.; Menberg, K.; Koch, F.; Benz, S.; Tissen, C.; Bayer, P.
2019, September 9. 10th International Conference on Groundwater Quality (2019), Liège, Belgium, September 9–12, 2019
Blum, P.; Menberg, K.; Koch, F.; Benz, S.; Tissen, C.; Bayer, P.
2019, September 9. 10th International Conference on Groundwater Quality (2019), Liège, Belgium, September 9–12, 2019
Understanding a Rapidly Expanding Refugee Camp Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Satellite Imagery
Benz, S.; Park, H.; Li, J.; Crawl, D.; Block, J.; Nguyen, M.; Altintas, I.
2019. 15th International Conference on eScience (eScience), 243–251, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi:10.1109/eScience.2019.00034
Benz, S.; Park, H.; Li, J.; Crawl, D.; Block, J.; Nguyen, M.; Altintas, I.
2019. 15th International Conference on eScience (eScience), 243–251, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi:10.1109/eScience.2019.00034
Estimation of Groundwater Temperatures in Paris, France
Hemmerle, H.; Hale, S.; Dressel, I.; Benz, S. A.; Attard, G.; Blum, P.; Bayer, P.
2019. Geofluids, 2019, Article ID 5246307. doi:10.1155/2019/5246307
Hemmerle, H.; Hale, S.; Dressel, I.; Benz, S. A.; Attard, G.; Blum, P.; Bayer, P.
2019. Geofluids, 2019, Article ID 5246307. doi:10.1155/2019/5246307
Groundwater temperature anomalies in Central Europe
Tissen, C.; Benz, S. A.; Menberg, K.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2019. Environmental research letters, 14, Article no: 104012. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ab4240
Tissen, C.; Benz, S. A.; Menberg, K.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2019. Environmental research letters, 14, Article no: 104012. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/ab4240
Global detection of rainfall-triggered landslide clusters
Benz, S. A.; Blum, P.
2019. Natural hazards and earth system sciences, 19 (7), 1433–1444. doi:10.5194/nhess-19-1433-2019
Benz, S. A.; Blum, P.
2019. Natural hazards and earth system sciences, 19 (7), 1433–1444. doi:10.5194/nhess-19-1433-2019
2018
Comparing anthropogenic heat input and heat accumulation in the subsurface of Osaka, Japan
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.; Hamamoto, H.; Arimoto, H.; Taniguchi, M.
2018. The science of the total environment, 643, 1127–1136. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.253
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.; Hamamoto, H.; Arimoto, H.; Taniguchi, M.
2018. The science of the total environment, 643, 1127–1136. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.253
Recent trends of groundwater temperatures in Austria
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Winkler, G.; Blum, P.
2018. Hydrology and earth system sciences, 22 (6), 3143–3154. doi:10.5194/hess-22-3143-2018
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Winkler, G.; Blum, P.
2018. Hydrology and earth system sciences, 22 (6), 3143–3154. doi:10.5194/hess-22-3143-2018
2017
Global patterns of shallow groundwater temperatures
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. Environmental research letters, 12 (3), Art. Nr.: 034005. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aa5fb0
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. Environmental research letters, 12 (3), Art. Nr.: 034005. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aa5fb0
Estimation of the sustainable geothermal potential of Vienna
Tissen, C.; Benz, S. A.; Keck, C. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. 19th EGU General Assembly - Abstracts (EGU2017) Wien, A, 23.-28. April 2017, 14086
Tissen, C.; Benz, S. A.; Keck, C. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. 19th EGU General Assembly - Abstracts (EGU2017) Wien, A, 23.-28. April 2017, 14086
Identifying anthropogenic anomalies in air, surface and groundwater temperatures in Germany
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. The science of the total environment, 584-585, 145–153. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.139
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Blum, P.
2017. The science of the total environment, 584-585, 145–153. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.139
2016
Human Impact on Groundwater Temperatures. PhD dissertation
Benz, S.
2016. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000065105
Benz, S.
2016. Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT). doi:10.5445/IR/1000065105
Linking Surface Urban Heat Islands with Groundwater Temperatures
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Göttsche, F. M.; Olesen, F. S.; Blum, P.
2016. Environmental science & technology, 50 (1), 70–78. doi:10.1021/acs.est.5b03672
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Göttsche, F. M.; Olesen, F. S.; Blum, P.
2016. Environmental science & technology, 50 (1), 70–78. doi:10.1021/acs.est.5b03672
Satellitengestützte Fernerkundung urbaner Wärmeinseln im Grundwasser
Benz, S.; Bayer, P.; Goettsche, F.-M.; Olesen, F. S.; Blum, P.
2016. Grundwasser - Mensch - Ökosysteme : 25. Tagung der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie in der DGGV 2016, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), 13.-17. April 2016. Hrsg.: P. Blum, 249–250, KIT Scientific Publishing
Benz, S.; Bayer, P.; Goettsche, F.-M.; Olesen, F. S.; Blum, P.
2016. Grundwasser - Mensch - Ökosysteme : 25. Tagung der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie in der DGGV 2016, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), 13.-17. April 2016. Hrsg.: P. Blum, 249–250, KIT Scientific Publishing
2015
Spatial resolution of anthropogenic heat fluxes into urban aquifers
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Menberg, K.; Jung, S.; Blum, P.
2015. The science of the total environment, 524-525, 427–439. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.003
Benz, S. A.; Bayer, P.; Menberg, K.; Jung, S.; Blum, P.
2015. The science of the total environment, 524-525, 427–439. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.003