National Meeting on Hydrogeology

Dr. Susanne Benz delivered a keynote at Flowpath 2025 in Turin, addressing the impacts of climate change and urbanization on groundwater systems. The talk explored how rising subsurface temperatures challenge the resilience of urban environments — and where new opportunities for sustainable heat management emerge.

Stab und Strategie (STS)

Hot summer days in the city – who hasn't experienced that? The asphalt glows, the air shimmers, and every shady spot becomes an oasis. Environmental scientist Susanne Benz from the Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing wants to actually "harvest" the heat that cities radiate like a giant oven in the summer. With a Freigeist Fellowship behind her, she will spend the next few years researching how this heat recycling can help save energy.

G. Halbig

In April Dr. Susanne Benz presented a participatory, data-driven framework that transforms raw temperature readings into concrete climate-adaptation actions at the Essener Klimagespräche. The approach pinpoints Hesse’s persistent heat “hot spots” and treasured “cool oases,” validates them with a streamlined Local Climate Zone map, prioritizes them and aims to match each location with the most effective measure. Powered by 20 cm-resolution land-cover data, green-volume and green-deficit indices, and a transparent merit/penalty scoring system co-developed with local planners, the method equips cities with ready-to-implement solutions for healthier, cooler urban spaces.