windgeschützte

Windgeschützte is a German adjective describing something that is protected from the wind or shielded against its effects. The term is used to denote locations, spaces, plants, or objects where wind exposure is reduced. It appears in fields such as architecture, urban planning, horticulture, agriculture, and meteorology to indicate a microclimate or barrier that lowers wind speed and related impacts like evaporation and cooling.

In architecture and urban planning, windgeschützte Lage refers to a site or space whose wind exposure is diminished by terrain, built forms, or vegetation. Examples include inner courtyards, sheltered pedestrian streets surrounded by buildings, and coastal areas protected by dunes or breakwaters. In landscaping and horticulture, windgeschützte Anlagen describe cultivation practices that place crops or ornamental plants in zones with lower wind exposure to prevent damage and moisture loss.

A range of natural and artificial measures create wind protection. Natural barriers include hedges, tree belts, terraced slopes, and landforms that deflect or slow wind. Artificial barriers comprise walls, screens, fences, and windbreaks. The concept also implies microclimatic effects such as higher average temperatures, reduced evapotranspiration, and improved comfort in outdoor spaces.

Applications of the concept span climate adaptation, outdoor design, and agriculture, aiming to optimize safety, productivity, and comfort by balancing wind exposure with necessary ventilation and air exchange.

See also: windbreak, microclimate, sheltered location.