Semizentral Germany represents an approach towards sustainable settlement development in fast-growing urban areas worldwide. The Chair of Wastewater Technology at the IWAR Institut of the Technische Universität Darmstadt is in charge of the research of integrated infrastructure systems.
The German-Chinese research project SEMIZENTRAL has been awarded the second place of the "German... More
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The fast growing port city of Qingdao has already been suffering from increasing water shortage for years. During the last 10 years, the SEMIZENTRAL approach has been developed under the general management of the Chair of Wastewater Technology of the Institut IWAR at the Technische Universität Darmstadt, in close cooperation with numerous German partners from industry as well as scientific partners from Germany and China.
The innovative infrastructure approach which was developed at the Institute IWAR of TU Darmstadt in cooperation with various research partners from Germany and China (Tongji University Shanghai and Qingdao University of Technology), achieved the second place in the category research of the "German Sustainability Award 2015".
The "German Sustainability Award" is a national award for outstanding achievements in sustainability in economy, local authorities and research. It is awarded annually by the Foundation of German Sustainability Award in cooperation with the federal government, local and business associations, civil society organizations and research institutions. With five competitions, a total of more than 800 applicants and 2,000 guests for closing ceremony this award is the largest of its kind in Europe.
SEMIZENTRAL was nominated in the category Research as one of three projects from more than 80 candidates from the German Council for Sustainable Development. The award ceremony took place in the framework of the German Sustainability Congress on November 27th in Dusseldorf.
© Susanna Neunast und Cosalux
The German artist Susanna Neunast has created an expansive art installation for the exterior facade of the entrance building and parts of the interior for the SEMIZENTRAL RRC in Qingdao. Susanna Neunast was born in 1982 in Aachen. The trained graphic designer reflects aspects of nature and society in their works, using different media. She draws the viewer's attention to seemingly negligible things and covers something special in everyday life in the simplicity of the water. Susanna Neunast captures the fascination and beauty of the water in a true emotional experience and gives unexpected perspectives of perception. In addition to the art the visitors of the RRC are welcomed by visually prepared technically information of the system and the SEMIZENTRAL approach.
The German media reported extensively about Susanna Neunast and her work. On June 7th the German TV station WDR aired a portrait of the artist. You can find the broadcast here. (Please note: The broadcast is available in German for a short time only)