{
  "id": 4551233,
  "title": "Real estate: This facade is supposed to protect cities from heavy rain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/immobilien-diese-fassade-soll-stadte-vor-starkregen-schutzen",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-31T02:06:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/finanzen/immobilien/extremwetter-diese-fassade-soll-immobilien-in-staedten-vor-starkregen-schuetzen/100241425.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Heavy rain events are becoming more frequent in Germany, according to the IPCC and data from the Deutscher Wetterdienst. This poses a challenge for investors, homeowners, and municipalities, who must take steps to prevent flooding. One solution being developed is the \"Vertical Water Sponge\", a facade system designed to absorb large amounts of water during heavy rainfall events. The system, developed by the Fraunhofer-Institut für Umwelt-, Sicherheits- und Energietechnik, aims to complement the \"Schwammstadt\" principle, which seeks to reduce urban flooding. Ramona Jones of Drees & Sommer notes that high levels of urban development contribute to the problem.",
  "summary": "Extreme rainfall is increasingly flooding German cities. A Fraunhofer team has developed a system that stores rainwater in the facade - and at the same time cools street sections.",
  "key_points": [
    "German cities face heavy rainfall challenges, causing basement flooding.",
    "Fraunhofer Institute develops Vertical Water Sponge facade system.",
    "Sponge City principle inspires innovative flood prevention solution."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}