Reimagine Spaces: Transforming the Built Environment for a Climate-Resilient Future

In Bremen, the City of Space, a fresh new startup is redefining how communities prepare for the challenges of climate change. Reimagine Spaces, a recent addition to the ESA BIC Northern Germany business incubation programme, is on a mission to help urban areas and social institutions adapt their spaces to a changing world. Founded by Carolin Johannsen and Valentina Schmidt, the company uses Earth observation (EO) data and artificial intelligence (AI) to offer tailored solutions for creating resilient, climate-adaptive spaces. From schools and hospitals to mixed-use community properties, Reimagine Spaces is working to make climate resilience accessible, effective, and inclusive.

A Mission Born Out of Urgency and Experience

Carolin Johannsen and Valentina Schmidt, both scientists with backgrounds in geodata and Earth observation, met while working at a governmental agency. In their roles, they handled geospatial data, working on projects related to climate change. Over time, Carolin felt a growing frustration with the limitations of her position: “I really had this feeling that if we don’t start getting ourselves ready for dealing with climate change, it’s going to be really difficult in the future,” she explained. Although she tried to address these issues within her governmental role, she realised that her potential to make an impact was limited.

“I wanted to have more leverage, more impact, more creative space, and the only option that I saw to do that was to start something myself,” Carolin reflected. She envisioned a new venture that could address climate change on a broader scale, reaching beyond governmental confines. Eventually, she persuaded Valentina to join her, and together they founded Reimagine Spaces. With Carolin focused on Earth protection and community engagement, and Valentina bringing business acumen to the team, the two form a well-rounded partnership uniquely suited to tackle complex climate challenges.

Discovering ESA BIC Northern Germany: “Huh, Why Space?”

The idea of Reimagine Spaces joining a space-related business programme initially seemed unusual to Carolin. She recalls, “I was invited to a space-related event by Inge Heydt from Starthaus. At first, I thought, ‘huh, why space?’” Inge explained that the ESA BIC Northern Germany programme supports businesses that leverage Earth observation data—a natural fit for Reimagine Spaces, which relies on such data to inform climate adaptation strategies.

The ESA BIC Northern Germany programme offered a unique opportunity for Carolin and Valentina to deepen their expertise, access valuable software, and connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs. For Carolin, the incubation programme provided reassurance and direction. “It’s really helpful to have people around you who not only have the same feeling but can also point you in the right direction,” she said. ESA BIC Northern Germany became the ideal platform to support Reimagine Spaces as they navigated the early stages of building their business.

Leveraging Earth Observation and AI for Data-Driven Solutions

At its core, Reimagine Spaces is a data-driven company, using Earth observation data from the Copernicus programme and AI to develop insights into climate adaptation. Their mission is to help communities and institutions make informed decisions about adapting their buildings and spaces to withstand the effects of climate change. This approach is especially valuable as extreme weather events become more frequent and impactful, and cities must find innovative ways to protect their residents and infrastructure.

Reimagine Spaces’ digital platform will allow users to view relevant geospatial data, identify risks (such as flooding or storm vulnerabilities), and explore case studies of effective adaptation strategies. The platform will also offer facilitation packages that include data insights, recommended measures, and guidance for implementing adaptation solutions.

“We want Reimagine Spaces to be very data-driven,” Carolin explained. The platform aims to empower users to take charge of climate adaptation planning with access to real-time data and actionable recommendations.

The integration of AI enables Reimagine Spaces to go a step further by connecting users with similar locations and solutions. Carolin describes the AI component: “To find solutions that have worked in different locations, we are looking at what is your status quo and we find locations that are very similar to your location by using AI.” By identifying climate adaptation measures that have proven successful in comparable areas, the platform encourages knowledge-sharing and collaboration among communities facing similar challenges.

Climate Resilience for Social Institutions

Reimagine Spaces initially focused on city governments and urban planning projects. However, Carolin and Valentina soon identified a significant need for climate adaptation solutions within social institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and community centres. These entities often have vulnerable populations and unique needs, yet they face significant challenges when it comes to implementing resilience measures.

“We recently put out an offer for a kindergarten that was also partly an elderly people’s home as well as a home for people with disabilities,” Carolin shared. “They needed climate adaptation strategies for their whole property, but also something that could work with all the people who are living there.” This project required careful consideration of diverse needs, from outdoor accessibility for people in wheelchairs to creating safe spaces for children during extreme weather events. Reimagine Spaces’ approach involves working closely with these communities to develop solutions that are both practical and inclusive.

CEO Carolin Johannsen at a podiums discussion during Space Tech Expo 2024 , Photo credit: Aviaspace Bremen e.V.

Carolin and Valentina have also tailored their platform to address the unique requirements of these institutions, allowing users to choose from a range of climate adaptation strategies that align with the specific needs of their community. This people-centred, co-creation approach reflects Reimagine Spaces’ commitment to making climate resilience both accessible and socially inclusive.

Transforming Existing Spaces for a Changing Climate

The team will focus not only on new buildings, but on reimagining existing spaces. They aim to help property owners, institutions, and municipalities adapt their structures and environments to new climate realities. This often involves revisiting spaces that have functioned well for decades but are now vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.

Carolin describes their approach: “We’re really interested in looking at buildings and spaces that already exist. We want to reimagine what’s already there. ” In practice, this means Reimagine Spaces joins a project when an institution or community recognises that previous infrastructure no longer meets current climate demands. Their process is collaborative, involving both digital tools and in-person facilitation to guide communities through the adaptation process.

Using their digital platform, users can explore data on local climate risks and review case studies of similar adaptation projects. For those requiring hands-on support, Carolin and Valentina offer consultation services and workshops.

“We would run the workshops and all that facilitation in person,” Carolin explained, “if you need us to be there in person.” The platform is designed to be adaptable, providing a subscription-based model for clients who wish to engage with the data independently, while also offering tailored support for communities seeking deeper involvement.

Building a Community of Change Through Co-Creation

One of the most distinctive aspects of Reimagine Spaces is its commitment to co-creation. Rather than prescribing top-down solutions, Carolin and Valentina believe in working collaboratively with communities to develop tailored adaptation strategies. This participatory approach not only ensures that solutions are relevant and practical but also empowers communities to take ownership of their climate resilience journey.

Reimagine Spaces’ platform is designed with co-creation in mind, offering tools and resources that encourage active involvement. The platform’s case studies and data visualisations serve as starting points for discussion, allowing users to identify which adaptation measures resonate most with their needs. The AI component also facilitates connections between similar communities, creating opportunities for shared learning and collaboration. “We want to get people working with this data,” Carolin emphasised, reflecting their vision for an engaged, informed user base.

Looking Forward: The Next Steps for Reimagine Spaces

With the support of ESA BIC Northern Germany, Carolin and Valentina are working to expand Reimagine Spaces’ platform and reach. They are excited about the resources available through the programme, including specialised software and a network of space-related entrepreneurs. As they continue to refine their platform and broaden their client base, Reimagine Spaces is poised to make a lasting impact on the way communities prepare for climate change.

For Carolin, the journey of building Reimagine Spaces has been both, challenging and rewarding. “Sometimes you can question yourself,” she reflected, “so it’s really helpful to have people around you who not only have the same feeling but can also point you in the right direction.” With a clear mission, a data-driven approach, and the support of the space community, Reimagine Spaces is on track to transform the way we reimagine and adapt our spaces for a resilient, sustainable future.

About ESA BIC Northern Germany

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Business Incubation Center (BIC) in Northern Germany (ESA BIC Northern Germany) is headquartered together with the state’s aerospace association in the Bremen Innovation and Technology Center BITZ and the Digital Hub Industrie – two of Bremen’s largest innovation and technology centers for high-tech companies and startups. The ESA BIC Northern Germany brings new startup impulses to the region and thus strengthens the aerospace innovation cluster of the state of Bremen. The AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. supports the space incubatees with its network, public relations and targeted coaching, not only during the incubation period, but also in the application phase and afterwards as alumni. The STARTHAUS Bremen & Bremerhaven  is the central point of contact in the Bremen start-up ecosystem and supports the startups with all questions regarding business development and financing. The ESA BIC Northern Germany is managed by Anwendungszentrum GmbH Oberpfaffenhofen (AZO), an international network and branding company for European space programs.

Since 2021, the ESA BIC Northern Germany has also been offering its service to startups with space connections in Schleswig-Holstein. The Technikzentrum Lübeck with GATEWAY49, AviaSpace and AZO jointly operate this expansion of the ESA BIC Northern Germany. Since 2024 the Innovationport Wismar of the Forschungs GmbH Wismar, together with AviaSpace and AZO, has also been providing access to the ESA BIC Northern Germany. It is further planned to expand the ESA BIC Northern Germany to the northern federal states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Berlin-Brandenburg.

The technical support of the ESA BIC Northern Germany is provided by Fraunhofer IFAM,  German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, DLR-RY Institute for Space Systems, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar Research AWI, universities in the state of Bremen including various institutes such as the Institute of Environmental Physics, the University of Lübeck, the University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity ZARM, Life Science Nord, Airbus Group, ArianeGroup, AES Aircraft Elektro/Elektronik System.