The district of Hof and Hof University of Applied Sciences have now launched a joint project on sustainability, digitalization and future viability with the “Transferwerkstatt Wasser hoferLand.digital”. The initiative is part of the district’s smart city approach and aims to improve the way we deal with the increasing challenges posed by climate change – through intelligent, practical and digital solutions.
The project is based on the strategic goal of improving the living conditions of the population and developing the district of Hof as a modern, climate-resilient and sustainable region. Digitalization is not an end in itself, but a tool for solving specific municipal challenges – above all in dealing with water as a vital resource.
The Institute for Sustainable Water Systems (inwa) at Hof University of Applied Sciences is setting up the “Transferwerkstatt Wasser hoferLand.digital” as a central development and advice center as part of hoferLand.digital for the district of Hof at the new Competence and Transfer Center for Sustainable Sponge City/Region (ktns).
We want to make the district of Hof not only more digital, but also more liveable and crisis-proof. The transfer workshop combines scientific expertise with concrete municipal benefits. In this way, we are doing pioneering work – even beyond the region.”
Dr. Oliver Bär, District Administrator of the district of Hof
At the heart of the measures that have now been launched are two central lines of action: on the one hand, a comprehensive analysis of water-related climate resilience challenges and the identification of possible measures using a specially developed multi-level analysis, and on the other, concrete, digital pilot projects – including the development of a district-wide water data platform, extraneous water analyses, a digital soil condition survey, an AI-supported planning aid for municipalities and the establishment of a permanent advice center at ktns.
The close cooperation of all stakeholders active in this area is particularly important to me – from the university to the municipalities to the water management office and other specialist authorities. Only through coordinated action can we tackle the complex challenges in the water sector effectively and sustainably.”
Dr. Oliver Bär, District Administrator
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences, emphasizes the scientific and social added value of the project:
‘With the transfer workshop, we are setting an example for applied research that directly benefits people. Hof University of Applied Sciences is making targeted use of its strengths in digitalization, environmental technology and interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of the University
Digitalization is at the heart of all measures in the project – but always in the service of sustainable use of water as a resource and to achieve added value in the applications. Project manager Prof. Günter Müller-Czygan (inwa):
The practice-oriented transfer of scientific developments and findings for municipal application is at the heart of our approach. We are particularly proud of the fact that we are realigning proven technologies and bringing innovative AI applications to the area – in a practical, understandable and scalable way.”
Prof. Günter Müller-Czygan
The project is being launched in collaboration with three pilot municipalities – the measures will then be successively extended to all 27 municipalities in the district.
