Berlin: The Asia Pacific Weeks Conference

I went to two parts of the Asia Pacific Weeks Conference: one day of the Urban Sustainability Conference and two days of the International Water Conference, learning not only the German approach to sustainability and water, but also some of the German opinion and relationship with Asian countries.

I talked to Bastian Whitstock, a Dipl. (similar to a PhD) student in engineering at the University of Stuttgart. His focus is Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in the construction industry so we had a lot in common. He is involved in the German Green Building Council, which is currently being developed. Instead of using a point system like LEED, they are planning to do something that is based on LCA, since they feel that it is a better assessment of overall sustainability. I’m interested in learning more about LCA and understand better the similarities and difference between that and LEED. As I described to Bastian, LEED has been successful in changing the market toward more green development. However, people that work with LEED still realize some of its shortcomings – many criteria have 1 point but some are much more important to sustainability than others. (I doubt locally sourced granite countertops have the same impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as that last energy efficiency point.)

Some highlights:
Dr. Prof. Manfred Kohler from the University of Neubrandenburg (the professor that recommended the conference to me) gave a great presentation about green roofs. Green roofs are quite common here – looking out from the top of Potsdamer Platz, you can see many planted rooftops. There is also a rainwater fee for all buildings, but it is reduced if you have a green roof. Manfred also went on to describe green walls, which also helps with the evapotranspiration of water that can help cool a building and reduce the urban heat island effect as well as creating a greener street. I noticed that extra greenery provided by the ivy on the buildings that are next to my friend’s apartment I stayed at this week – I thought that street was one of the prettiest since it had not only street trees, but also the ivy. Greenery in a city that is dominated by hard surfaces is even more special than it would be in the typical American city.

Manfred did have some pictures of Minneapolis in his powerpoint – the lawn bowling roof at Brits and the Phillips Eco-prise Center, both taken when he was in at the Green Roofs conference this past spring.

He noted that in Europe, the governmental regulation is leading the green building movement, while in the US it is the private industry. At least for green roofs, they have been around Berlin for a lot longer than in the U.S. – perhaps 20 years or so. The tour included a visit to the top of the Daimler Chrysler building, which is one of the highest points in Berlin. From there you can see numerous green roofs. Since it is September, they aren’t the brightest shade of green, but they do add to the view more than blacktop.

When I get a chance, I will add some tour pictures!

Frankfurt & Marburg

Frankfurt
Frankfurt reminds me a lot of Minneapolis. It is a city on a river, with a skyline of comparable size and beautiful park along the river. However, Frankfurt also has the old city with a wide range of historic architecture, cobblestone streets and a subway. While Minneapolis is green, the downtown area of Frankfurt is greener with more parks, trails and plants everywhere. It is a smaller city, with less than a million people, although the area by downtown is more densely populated. A lot of the city was destroyed in WWII, so the rebuilding has been pretty extensive.

Frankfurt is also the financial capital of Europe so there is a lot of money in the city - it's where the investment bankers work. I've gotten some negative feedback about that aspect of Frankfurt - similar to the attitude that New York gets as well.

I also liked the tram through the Frankfurt in the grass - it's pretty cool! If you notice the black metal statue in the background of this picture, I was told it is a symbol of communism, with a hammer (anvil?) striking a block. Not the most typical artwork for a western city.

Marburg
Marburg is a very cute town complete with a castle on the hill, Fachwerkhause (half-timbered houses) and a church dedicated after Saint Elisabeth. It is truly a fairy tale town – the Brothers Grimm wrote their famous stories while living in Marburg. The Altstadt or Oberstadt (old or upper city) is the historic part of town on the hill from the castle to the river that gives the town its character. The castle was built on the hill above town so that it could not be invaded - it is primarily accessible from the side opposite the town. Photos include the castle, the rose garden next to the castle and the view from the castle.

The Altstadt was built in the late middle ages

(1400 - 1600) and has curvy, narrow, steep streets. In case you are curious, buses travel a few cobblestone streets in the Altstadt. Cars and delivery trucks use the streets as well, but I believe they are somewhat limited. Students at the University of Marburg live in the historic part of town since the flats are small with floors that slant and relatively few windows. I would still take one. Photos include on the steep streets and the Marktplatz which is the main square in the center of the Oberstadt.

Our group of 30-some Fulbrighters are staying in a dorm (last photo) that is about a 30 minute walk downhill to German class in the morning and usually longer hiking up the hill to get back. The walk is enjoyable, since there is a Bakeri on the way where I get my coffee and fresh roll every morning. Since the town is past our classroom, getting anywhere can be pretty time-consuming. The dorm is 1960s modernism and looks just like every other building of its type in the world. I have heard many people in our group complaining that most of the modern buildings here are eyesores in an otherwise beautiful town. I can’t argue – I just couldn’t get myself to take any pictures of the generic modernism here. You've seen it once and it looks the same everywhere.