widthreconstruction. So far, the term has been mainly used in the post-war period in Germany. Since mid-July, reconstruction has also represented a new beginning in Germany today. The severe weather disasters in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate have such serious consequences. The death toll is high. Many people were injured. Devastating destruction. The electricity supply for more than 200,000 people also collapsed-no lights, no mobile communications, no Internet, no broadband, and no functions at home.
The joint efforts of municipal authorities, network operators, and municipal public utilities, Firemen, THW, and many other helpers have reconnected most homes to the grid within two weeks-but in many places, there are only temporary solutions. This disaster shows that even in Germany, infrastructure is not a risk-free business. Reconstruction will take several years-the corresponding costs must also be approved by the regulator.
As if through a magnifying glass, we have seen in the disaster: the complexity of our energy system and the foundation of assistance and reconstruction require not only rich experience and capabilities, but also deep added value. This approach of restoring the capabilities of network operators within and within the group first made it possible to quickly restore supply. Only in this way, even in the event of a disaster, a close partnership can be established with the municipality.
For the reconstruction of the acceleration law
The people in the disaster-affected areas now rightly demand politicians for quick and non-bureaucratic support. Need a reconstruction of the law of acceleration. A temporary special status needs to be provided to the affected municipalities. There, the approval process for replacement routes or replacement structures will be shortened to a minimum. Participation deadlines will be optimized and the procurement process will be easier. Municipal representatives should have more options and can make decisions in a short period of time.
The reconstruction of the emergency fund has been announced. But municipalities also need sustainable support from the Climate Change Adaptation Fund. There is no doubt: our goal in Germany is to achieve a climate-neutral economy and society by 2045. However, the consequences of climate change are still obvious to us. Simply assuming that all countries will meet their global climate goals on time is negligent, let alone wanted.
Therefore, our focus cannot be solely on the reorganization of the energy system. Cities and municipalities must get help from climate adjustment funds to mitigate the foreseeable consequences of climate change and conduct systematic crisis prevention-through flood prevention, ensuring water supply during dry periods, or through forest fire prevention. It is about the protection function of the state. It is about the further development of the joint federal and state tasks in climate adaptation measures and the permanent participation of the federal government and states in financing responsibilities. Last but not least: it is about cyber security through close cooperation between political and commercial research, energy, construction, and transportation.
Joint planning of infrastructure measures
What’s more, the reconstruction of the disaster area requires a new building. We must plan and implement future energy systems here. In addition to flood prevention, this also includes aligning the distribution network with the energy transition. We now need a technological leap. When rebuilding the supply infrastructure, it must first be open to unconventional technologies. With the use of information technology and new materials in urban planning and its implementation today, this continues.
New infrastructure construction such as electricity, gas, water, electricity, bridges and roads must be promoted in a coordinated manner. We need to work together here. Mandatory municipal master plans can set minimum standards. To avoid inefficiency, a coordinated approach between municipalities and infrastructure providers makes sense. It may be helpful to establish an authoritative task force. These rebuilders should form an interface with the infrastructure operator. In addition, they can provide support for the prioritization and approval of infrastructure issues. They will also be the central point of contact, such as building permits, relocation or land acquisition. Reconstruction can be organized faster and more effectively.
Standing together in a disaster must also be the image of a new beginning. We should trust our direct interaction and well-known German engineering skills. We now need municipalities to take on more personal responsibilities. Then we will also manage the reconstruction.
