Heatwaves are one of the most concerning consequences of climate change, with record-breaking temperatures becoming more frequent and intense. Urban areas are likely to become hotter than surrounding suburban regions and rural areas because of the presence of more sealed surfaces and higher density of both people and heat-emitting infrastructures.
From 17th to 20th July, BUILDSPACE project partner EPU-NTUA attended the 15th International Conference on Information, Intelligence, Systems and Applications, which took place in Chania, Crete, Greece. The Conference gathered scientists and professionals from different research fields, having the goal of developing methodologies and tools for the solutions of complex problems in artificial intelligence, monitoring, healthcare, sustainability in energy sources, governance, and education, among others.
Future Heat Risk Index: The Case of Attica Region, Greece
The project partner (EPU-NTUA) evaluated heat-related vulnerabilities using the Future Heat Risk Index (FHRI) for regions of Attica, Greece. The study uses climate change projections (RCP 8.5 for 2040) and spatial analysis to identify high-risk areas and proposes potential mitigation strategies such as vegetation enhancement and cold material installation.
Furthermore, health of human populations is sensitive to shifts in weather patterns and other aspects of climate change. Extreme heat poses indeed significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. The FHRI provided a simple and comprehensive index including important aspects of the heat risk vulnerability such as Extreme temperature levels, Population Density, Absence of Vegetation and Elderly population.
EPU-NTUA team stressed the importance of mitigation strategies as crucial for public health and infrastructure resilience. Urban greening and reflective materials are effective heat mitigation measures that can reduce the impacts and risks of extreme high temperatures.
The main findings of the study include 1) Integration of climate change scenarios into urban planning enhances resilience; 2) Targeted interventions that can mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heat; 3) Future research should refine FHRI methodology and consider socio-economic factors.
Within the challenges posed by climate changes, innovative projects like BUILDSPACE can contribute to develop strategies for the sustainability and resilience of cities against the risks posed by the climate crisis, with an emphasis on the analysis of the urban thermal environment.
The BUILDSPACE project has indeed developed Service 4. Urban Heat Analysis and Resilience, which will analyze urban heat at high resolution, combining demographic data to calculate the so-called urban heat risk and assess social vulnerability to heat. The service will incorporate a decision support service that will guide urban stakeholders' adaptation and mitigation strategies to climate change at buildings-neighborhood scales.
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