SPORE

Rural regions are also affected by the consequences of climate change. This requires regional adaptation measures. The SPORE research project (funded by the Upper Franconia Foundation, the WILO Foundation and Hof University of Applied Sciences) is therefore developing the Smart Sponge Region concept for the Hof/Hochfranken/Upper Franconia region. This concept is intended to ensure the preservation of the ecological function, the sustainable use of resources and the balancing control between heavy rainfall and dry periods (sponge region) and to support the long-term safeguarding of the regional economic development of rural areas. The concept combines elements of digitalisation and networking for the intelligent control of water management elements and infrastructure measures. In particular, digital solutions and their user-friendliness via optimised human-machine interfaces are to be emphasised. This includes, for example, concepts for the control and monitoring of processes using digital measurement networks of environmental parameters. A regional network consisting of companies, municipalities and specialised authorities, among others, will be established in the project in order to develop region-specific solutions. Finally, a guide for implementing the Smart Sponge Region concept for other regions will be created.