Heavy rain or drought

How HOWOGE deals with water

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Illustration of paving stones through which water seeps, with soil underneath.

HOWOGE is actively committed to making Berlin a "sponge city." This requires expertise. HOWOGE's experts are therefore constructing new buildings using all the tools of a climate-adapted city – and are also upgrading existing buildings to withstand future extreme weather events.

HOWOGE takes the concept of the "sponge city" very seriously. This is how Berlin aims to adapt to climate change: slowing down surface runoff during rain and storing it in the ground, allowing it to evaporate, or utilizing it during dry periods. This is clearly visible in HOWOGE's Johannisgärten development . There, permeable paving materials were used, and where accessibility allowed, gaps were incorporated into the paving to allow water to seep into the ground. Global warming is making weather more extreme. Heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding, is becoming more frequent, but droughts are also increasing. Therefore, it is crucial to store rainwater as much as possible and ideally reuse it, for example, for irrigation. As a housing company, HOWOGE already takes various measures to ensure that rainwater drains effectively and is retained in the ground.

How HOWOGE is turning Berlin into a sponge city

Less sealing

Minimize soil sealing, also by creating living space through roof extensions.

Permeability

- Paving paths in a way that allows water to permeate them, also using water-permeable materials.

Green roof

Intermediate storage on roofs in the form of extensive green roofs with retention roofs, plus green energy from the roof.

planting

Climate-adapted plants in the outdoor areas

storage

Temporary storage and infiltration of rainwater using swales or trenches

Rainwater harvesting & existing infrastructure integration

New and existing buildings share a common infiltration system; rainwater is used for irrigation.

Goal: To slow down the water

To create living space without sealing the ground in the growing city of Berlin, HOWOGE is focusing on rooftop extensions . Where construction expands horizontally, the design of the outdoor areas is crucial. HOWOGE has a dedicated landscape architecture project manager for this purpose. She works on climate-adapted greening and the corresponding design of outdoor areas, driveways, and pathways for construction projects. Roof surfaces also play a vital role. Depending on the location and building type, HOWOGE installs green roofs or so-called retention roofs. These roof surfaces act as temporary storage, releasing water gradually through downpipes. The water then fills infiltration basins in the green spaces, where it slowly seeps into the soil or groundwater. Similarly, infiltration trenches—tanks with holes sunk into the ground—slow down the flow of water into the soil during heavy rainfall. With many such measures in place, fewer basements flood, thus relieving the burden on the sewer system. Measures within the framework of the "sponge city" also increase the quality of life for residents, as more plants and less sealing promote evaporation and improve the microclimate.

Savings expand leeway

When planning new residential buildings, this also means avoiding basements wherever possible. Many basements and underground parking garages create a barrier to groundwater. These measures for a climate-adapted city make new construction both more cost-effective and more accessible. At HOWOGE, these savings don't simply increase profitability; they also expand the scope for further improving the building and the neighborhood in terms of sustainability.