In an interview with OpenTerra visionary Klaus Kornprobst, we delve into the original idea behind this innovative start-up from Bolzano and shed light on the values behind it. Klaus Kornprobst founded the company Climagrün for green roof systems in Bolzano in 2002 and has made a name for himself in the field of sustainable urban development. Rainwater is collected on the green roofs of buildings, stored intelligently and released during dry periods. This promotes biodiversity in urban areas, improves the climate and, of course, the air quality in cities. In this interview, he explains why he did not simply implement the new ChtILP software , the intelligent landscape planner of the future, into his existing business and why he has now founded OpenTerra with strong partners.
OpenTerra: What was the spark that ignited OpenTerra?
Klaus Kornprobst: With my first company, Climagrün, I worked intensively with the Fraunhofer Institute at the NOI Techpark in Bolzano for several years. However, the software that we developed together led the planners into product dependency. When I was talking to my sparring partner Dietmar Siegele, Head of Unit Process Engineering in Construction at the Fraunhofer Institute Italia, about the problems and conflicts for urban planners, he introduced me to a new project they were working on. Dietmar activated the chatbot, in which plans could already be integrated at the time and communicated with using a chat function. And then I just had this flash that this could be exactly the solution to my problem if I could apply the technology to my problem. I am an entrepreneur and used to making decisions quickly. I immediately recognized the potential and gave Dietmar Siegele a verbal commitment to a major joint project. That was the starting signal for the intelligent landscape planner ChatILP, which can make cities more resilient for the future.
OpenTerra: Why didn't you just incorporate the ChatILP into your existing company, why OpenTerra?
Klaus Kornprobst: OpenTerra is a logical and natural progression from my more than twenty years of experience in the field of green roof planning. I consider the potential of ChatILP to be extremely important. That's why we are positioning it as an independent brand in the OpenTerra universe. As soon as we had given the child a name, ChatILP - where ILP stands for "Intelligent Landscape Planner" - based on ChatGPT from OpenAI, so that users know that it is an interactive, AI-based tool, it was clear to me that I had to embed this software in something bigger. Because with Climagrün, we had maneuvered ourselves into product dependency, which was limiting. My vision from the outset was to give everyone, all planners, the opportunity to decide freely which manufacturer and which products they want to work with. In my opinion, this is the only way to create a fruitful symbiosis for innovation. OpenTerra should be a platform, a way to give the planet, our earth, back a more intact ecosystem. And I am talking about the fact that we have to adapt. It's about making the right decisions in today's modern world so that our children and grandchildren can still find a planet worth living on. That is the legacy we are passing on. That is why I advocate an "open earth". That is the basis. Only together can we make a difference and our company is open to all people who want to participate and contribute to this sustainable change. I therefore see OpenTerra as a platform for innovative tools(ChatILP software), knowledge transfer(O-Academy), exchange between experts (platform) and building a community (events and gatherings).
OpenTerra: How can a relatively small company from Bolzano develop such innovative software with the Fraunhofer Institute Italia?
Klaus Kornprobst: With the Fraunhofer Institute Italia, especially Dietmar Siegele, we found a strong partner right from the start. Over the last 20 years, we have not only developed products, but we have also continued to develop. That is always the basis. Here in Bolzano, various factors and skills have come together to make this project possible. This has resulted in a wonderful friendship and collaboration. They made it possible for us to start this intensive project. Our experience and the new possibilities offered by artificial intelligence provide us with limitless potential.
OpenTerra: Why should planners work with ChatILP?
Klaus Kornprobst: Planners face major challenges of a technical nature, as well as environmental issues. Our ChatILP software is an intelligent tool that analyzes deep data and thus becomes a valuable aid. The software helps to simplify complex calculations and develop sustainable concepts. The fact that various manufacturers are now also responding positively and participating in the project increases transparency and efficiency.
OpenTerra: ChatILP briefly explained...
Klaus Kornprobst: Simple, intelligent, sustainable. ChatILP is as easy to use as a shovel, collects and analyzes data intelligently and supports sustainable planning in the field of infrastructure and building technology in outdoor areas.
OpenTerra: What is the vision for OpenTerra?
Klaus Kornprobst: My vision is for OpenTerra to be seen as a tool that provides time and information. It should enable planners to do their work safely and efficiently by providing well-founded information. This enables them to make better ecological and technical decisions and, by saving time, to focus more on the creative part of their work. Although I am not a computer geek myself, I have recognized the potential of these technologies and we are only at the beginning of our journey. Our vision covers the entire chain from the initial planning idea to the construction phase and beyond. We have many future developments in mind and see enormous potential in the combination of intelligent software and the OpenTerra Academy. Because I am convinced that providing the software is only one part of the whole. OpenTerra is planning an academy for knowledge transfer in the field of sustainable urban development and new technologies, as well as social issues relating to psychoecology. The technology of ChatILP coupled with the knowledge of the O-Academy will be a powerful tool to make a real difference in the world.
OpenTerra: What does the perfect city of the future look like?
Klaus Kornprobst: The perfect city of the future combines intelligent technologies with natural open spaces that are accessible to everyone. It's about using outdoor spaces in multiple ways and bringing peace and quiet back to cities. Children should be close to nature again. I find it disconcerting to see that children growing up in cities today are disgusted by insects or earth and mud. We have lost touch not only with nature, but above all with our human nature. So why not use the new AI technology intelligently to bring people closer to themselves again in the end? Sounds paradoxical, but it is possible. That's my motivation, because we can't say we have to go back to the roots and close our eyes to the new technology. Let's make use of it if we have already developed it. The challenge is to make the right decisions for the next 40-50 years to build sustainable cities and optimize the quality of life for everyone in them. By designing smart outdoor spaces, based on deep and complex data analysis, we can ensure that future urban spaces are and remain sustainable and usable. We want our decisions today to have a long-term positive impact for the future.
