Environmental monitoring

Creation of a digital urban 3D twin to provide information on the dangers of heavy rainfall

Storm clouds over Dresden
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AdobeStock l DK DD
Stylized cityscape of Dresden

Introduction

The measure uses sensors to record environmental data in areas at risk of heavy rainfall and display it in an urban digital 3D twin for the urban area south of the Elbe. At the same time, a digital platform is being created for inter-agency administrative cooperation and the public provision of environmental data.

The aim

The aim is to better protect the city from flooding damage by publicly presenting data on the actual rainfall, its effects and possible structural measures in an intuitively usable 3D city model. The integrated sensor data improves precipitation analyses and flood forecasts. The project creates instruments to warn of heavy rainfall so that damage caused by extreme events can be reduced in the future.

Smart Energy and Environment

Focus topic

in implementation

Project status

2022-2026

Duration

South of Dresden

Area of application

2.8 million euros

Budget

Environmental monitoring
The most important information

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What are the benefits of the project for the population?

The urban digital 3D twin provides the population with information on where in the city heavy rain can cause damage, how badly their own home could be affected and how structural precautions can be taken.

How does the project improve everyday life?

Thanks to the interactive 3D city model, the population can better assess the risks of heavy rainfall in a specific location and prepare for extreme events in a targeted manner, which ensures greater safety.

What new possibilities are there?

The digital twin makes it possible to track environmental data and forecasts in real time and prepare buildings or properties preventively for potential hazards.

How can I participate?

The 3D city model can be used online to check your own home and the surrounding area for potential hazards caused by heavy rain. Feedback can help to continuously improve the model.
Animation bei Hochwasser am Elbufern
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden

Dresden as a 3D city model

The city can be experienced in an interactive 3D model with buildings, streets and bodies of water. Information on flooding risks and potential damage caused by heavy rainfall as well as structural recommendations for action help to improve the protection of people and buildings.

Animation with flooded streets
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden

Timely warnings

Thanks to sensor-based environmental monitoring, up-to-date data on the weather situation in the neighborhood is available. This can help to warn of severe weather hazards.

Flooded streets due to high water in the city center
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Pixabay l Rainer Küster

Preventive protection

In the urban digital twin of the city, the population can not only view environmental data acutely in hazardous situations - forecasts can also be displayed.

Animation with flooded streets
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden

Adjustments in real time

Environmental monitoring improves the city's resilience to extreme weather events. The water level in rainwater retention basins and small bodies of water can be tracked in real time in order to understand how the city reacts to them.

Environmental monitoring
Benefits for the economy

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AdobeStock l Andreas Gruhl

Why is environmental monitoring important for the economy?

Environmental monitoring offers economic players precise access to environmental and weather data and supports them in future-oriented investment decisions.

How does the economy benefit from the project?

Companies benefit from detailed environmental forecasts that enable them to manage risk more effectively, for example in preparation for heavy rainfall events.

What new opportunities are emerging?

The urban digital 3D twin opens up opportunities for energy-efficient construction projects and climate adaptation strategies and provides a solid basis for sustainable urban development measures.

How can companies get involved?

Companies can actively participate in the further development of the open source solutions used and thus contribute to sustainable transformation in their own city and beyond.
Flood retention basin
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Michael_Hannuschka

Basis for decision-making

The urban digital 3D twin enables precise access to environmental and weather data and supports companies in making informed decisions about investments that will be necessary in the future.

Flood under the Loschwitz bridge
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Smarte Urban development

The urban digital 3D twin creates new opportunities for energy-efficient construction projects and climate adaptation strategies. It serves as a reliable digital information basis for sustainable urban development.

Measuring rod for recording the water level
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AdobeStock l Kostas Koufogiorgos

Risk management

Detailed flooding scenarios help companies to identify risks from heavy rainfall at an early stage and implement the necessary measures in good time. Statistical analyses are also beneficial in the insurance sector, for example.

Wet street in front of the Dresden Semperoper
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AdobeStock l JFL Photography

Open source for the future

By participating in the further development of the open source solutions of the urban digital 3D twin, a sustainable transformation is promoted both in their own city and in other municipalities.

Environmental monitoring
Project partners

logo HTW

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden University of Applied Sciences

 

The Institute of Building in a Changing Climate aims to make a lasting contribution to climate adaptation in the construction industry through application-oriented research, consulting and innovation and thus to strengthening the resilience of cities and municipalities to environmental impacts.

 

To the partner

logo TU Dresden

TU Dresden - Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Technical Hydromechanics

 

The Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Technical Hydromechanics conducts research into flood protection, river engineering and near-natural watercourse development.

 

To the partner

logo TU Dresden

Institute for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

The Institute of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing deals with the integration of sensor technology and evaluation methods to develop efficient solutions for novel measurement tasks.

To the partner

Logo Stadtentwässerung

Urban drainage Dresden GmbH

Stadtentwässerung Dresden GmbH ensures the safe discharge and treatment of wastewater from Dresden.

To the partner

Our Smart
City team