As parts of Greece, Cyprus and Turkey face scorching heatwaves, here's how trees, water and green buildings can help European cities adapt to an increasingly hot climate .
The urban heat island effect
Due to what is called the “urban heat island effect,” cities become much hotter than other parts of the country because heat is trapped between large buildings and absorbed by the asphalt and pavement. concrete. Innovative measures are therefore needed to refresh them.
Not all cities experience heatwaves in the same way. So, what can we learn from those who are leading the way in adapting to climate change?
The “cool streets” of Vienna
Vienna is the most liveable city in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index. It also achieves good results in climate change mitigation:
Frankfurt’s “ventilation corridors”
Frankfurt, a former winner of the European City of Trees award, is already doing well in terms of green cover. Trees can reduce surface temperatures by up to 12°C in summer, according to a 2021 satellite study. Having around 200,000 of them in public spaces is therefore a definite asset for Germany's financial capital.
As one of the hottest cities in Germany, Frankfurt has also had to make significant changes, notably with the creation of “ventilation corridors” (Luftleitbahnen): stretches of land where there is no no tall buildings or large expanses of trees, in order to attract cooler air from surrounding areas.
Madrid’s “climate shelters”
Hot summer days are expected in Spain, to a certain extent. Last summer, temperatures in the country's capital regularly approached 40°C, while the southern city of Valencia broke a heat record with 46.8°C.
To try to improve its record, Madrid opened “climate shelters” in air-conditioned public spaces such as libraries and community centers during last year's heatwave, and set up an app to speed up the entry into the city's heavily subsidized municipal swimming pools.
There is also a long-term strategy to cool the city. As part of the 2019 “Madrid Island of Color” plan, a 75 km long forest “green belt” is being built around the capital.
The best ways to cool cities
There are many other ways to contain the rise in mercury on hot days:
But with such different climates and historical features, how do European leaders and planners know exactly what to do?
Planting more trees wins on several fronts. But it's helpful to know, for example, that you need 40 percent tree cover along streets to truly maximize the benefits of what green city planning expert Jon Burke calls “the most advanced air conditioning technology in the world.” nature “.
Heatwave, you say?
Now, if only there was a quick, easy, and relatively cheap solution, that could also deliver other benefits such as reduced crime and improved mental and physical health for our citizens…🤔 pic.twitter.com/WuAicLhIaV
— Jon Burke 🌍 (@jonburkeUK) July 20, 2022
There are key calculations to be made on what also, obviously, constitute aesthetic improvements. The C40 Cool Cities network is an organization working in this direction. He contributed to the development of a “Heat Resilient Cities” tool, which allows decision-makers to quantify the exact benefits of specific parks and green infrastructure, rivers, lakes and cool and vegetated surfaces.
Ultimately, each city will need to find its own solutions, drawing on best practices from elsewhere and adapting them to their own context. But one thing is certain: faced with the challenge of climate change, inaction is not an option. Cities that commit to adaptation now will be those that offer the best quality of life to their residents in the decades to come.
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