The consortium develops practical solutions in collaboration with local authorities, decision-makers, and citizens.

Climate change is increasingly affecting everyday life in cities. Extreme heat, deteriorating air quality, and environmental stressors pose growing risks to human health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses. The new interdisciplinary research project MEDICUS – Adaptation Strategies to the Medical Implications of Climate Change for Urban Transformation addresses these challenges by developing practical, science-based solutions for healthier and more resilient cities. The consortium is being funded by the Bavarian Climate Research Network (BayKlif-2) over a period of five years with a total of 1.375.000 euros.

Interdisciplinary research for healthy cities

MEDICUS brings together leading expertise from three institutions: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), University of Augsburg, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg (UKA), and Technische Universität München (TUM). The project is led by Dr. Magdalena Mittermeier (LMU) in climate and environmental modeling, Prof. Dr. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann (University of Augsburg/UKA) in environmental medicine, and Dr. Stefanie Ruf (TUM) in urban design and planning.

At the core of MEDICUS is the integration of high-resolution urban climate modeling with large-scale climate simulations. “This approach allows us to identify both long-term trends and short-term exposure peaks related to heat and air pollution, information that is crucial for effective prevention and adaptation strategies,” explains LMU geographer Magdalena Mittermeier. These scientific insights are translated into concrete recommendations for individual, urban, and planetary health.

Teamwork between research, politics, and citizens

A key element of the project is its strong focus on real-world application. In neighbourhood-level “real-world laboratories” in Munich and Augsburg, researchers work together with local authorities, planners, and residents to co-develop and test adaptation measures. “We want to develop strategies to reduce climate-related health risks, strengthen awareness, and improve resilience at community level,” says Augsburg-based environmental physician Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann. “Climate change is becoming a growing health issue in our cities. It is therefore crucial to design our living environments in a way that protects people—and this is exactly what MEDICUS does.”

To ensure broad impact, MEDICUS also relies on innovative educational formats for “education for urban transformation” with a focus on sustainability and the use of innovative digital tools, including a resilience app that supports knowledge transfer and public participation. “In addition, MEDICUS' scientific findings are translated into locally specific action plans and transformation pathways. They are systematically integrated into education and training formats in order to specifically address both residents and local authorities and decision-makers,” says TUM psychologist and urban planner Stefanie Ruf.

Prepared for climate change

By combining environmental modeling, medical research, urban planning, participatory approaches, and innovative communication formats, MEDICUS makes an important contribution to climate-resilient urban development. The project supports evidence-based policymaking and helps cities better protect the health of their populations in a changing climate.