The Lichtenbergblock in Darmstadt’s district Martinsviertel is to become more livable. To this end, the Wissenschaftsstadt Damrstadt is planning a traffic trial under the name “Heinerblock”. The aim of the project is to create a lively and open urban neighborhood in which through traffic is reduced, traffic safety is increased and public spaces are designed to be inviting. emergenCITY is providing scientific support for the project.

On Tuesday, September 24, Matthias Hollick, scientific coordinator at emergenCITY, gave a presentation on the topic entitled “The digital Heinerblock - research embedded in urban districts” to employees of the Mobility and Civil Engineering Office. The Mobility and Civil Engineering Office is responsible for the development and implementation of the traffic trial.

“The Heinerblock is a real-life laboratory for us to test research results,” said Matthias Hollick.

Technologies are tested in the neighborhood

This brings together ideas and innovations from different specialist areas. For example, scientists are working on the question of which forms of communication are suitable in a disaster or crisis, how urban data can be used for resilient urban development and how resilient communication networks can be set up. Technologies such as the “Litfaßsäule 4.0”, an advertising column as well as sensor boxes and a wireless testbed are to be tested in the neighborhood.

“With my presentation, I hope to raise awareness that TU Darmstadt, as part of the Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt, is working together with the population to test digitalization for the benefit of citizens and, in particular, to make it crisis-proof,” said the emergenCITY coordinator.

More about the Mission Digital Heinerblock and the Heinerblock project in Darmstadt