My City Lounge @Kronenplatz

Karlsruhe is among the hottest cities in Germany, and it clearly showcases how climate change, urban densification, and changing patterns of use are creating new challenges for public spaces. Kronenplatz, located in the city centre, exemplifies this particularly well: in summer it is one of the hottest areas in town and is therefore rarely used.

As part of a broader urban regeneration strategy, the KIT has been involved in several initiatives to improve the comfort and attractiveness of the Kronenplatz—from shading elements such as the komorebi canopies, to the knowledge transfer infrastructure Corner and the many events that contribute to the quality and use of the square.

In the project “My City Lounge @Kronenplatz”, we will develop strategies to improve the comfort and the quality of stay as an interdisciplinary Design-Build collaboration between Design of Structures (dos), the Institut für Regionalwissenschaft (IfR), and the South German Climate Office at KIT. We will explore the design of temporary shading systems, introduce green urban furniture, and reconfigure the space to significantly enhance its usability and comfort. In particular, by using the Corner containers, we will create new shaded areas and develop concepts for small-scale urban interventions.

First Meeting: 22.04.2026; 2:00 pm

Location: Bldg. 10.50, Room 412

Regular meeting: Wednesday 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Deliverables/Examination: to be announced

Number of Participants: 12

Focus of study: Building Technology