Sponge City: Making Berlin Cooler

The video discusses the challenges urban spaces face with heat and water management, highlighting Berlin's innovative 'sponge city' strategy. This approach aims to mimic natural water cycles by using green roofs and urban wetlands to manage rainwater and heat. Romsburg in East Berlin serves as a practical example of this concept. Despite progress, challenges remain, as seen during the heavy rains of 2017. The city council now mandates stormwater management in new developments, adapting urban environments to work with nature amid climate change.

What is the primary goal of Berlin's sponge city strategy?

• To reduce the population

• To build more skyscrapers

• To manage rainwater and heat naturally

• To increase urbanization

Which feature is NOT part of the sponge city strategy?

• Roadside swales

• Urban wetlands

• Concrete pavements

• Green roofs

What makes Romsburg in East Berlin a notable example of the sponge city concept?

• It effectively manages stormwater without a sewer system

• It has the tallest buildings in Berlin

• It is the oldest neighborhood in Berlin

• It uses a conventional pipe system

What event in 2017 highlighted the challenges Berlin faces in becoming a perfect sponge city?

• A severe drought

• The heaviest rain in a century

• A major earthquake

• A city-wide blackout

What recent decision has the Berlin city council made regarding new developments?

• To manage stormwater on-site

• To ban green roofs

• To increase building heights

• To reduce public parks