Let's talk about air - Dresden citizens discuss (with us) the aesthetics of wind farms

Science is a world of its own. But does that mean it has to be incomprehensible to all outsiders? Dresden Concept and the Hygienemuseum Dresden answer the question with a clear no and take on a mediating role between the public and researchers.

On April 10, 25, the event "Let's talk about air" took place, at which ten scientists presented their fields of work to the public and responded to questions and concerns of the participants in discussion rounds. The Boysen-TU Dresden Research Training Group's research project F2: "Landscape and Energy Transition", which is being conducted by doctoral student Marie Walstab, was also presented and generated lively discussions.

© gierig media // Ben Gierig

First, the participants were asked to locate on a map of a fictitious municipality where they would install wind turbines if they were the planner. This revealed some of the different motivations for the choice of location, which were collected and analyzed as part of the research project. After a brief introduction to the working methods and questions of the doctoral thesis, a variety of topics relating to the use of wind power and landscape conservation were discussed.

Why do we have to talk about aesthetics when it comes to wind power but not nuclear or coal-fired power? How are sites for wind turbines currently selected and how could this change in the future? And can or should wind turbines be located in forests?

Experiencing the public's interest in the problem and the results is a particular motivation for further work. Doctoral student Marie Walstab would like to express her sincere thanks for the invitation to the event and the stimulating discussions.