According to a governmental decision, all (re)constructions in Dutch cities starting by 2020 have to be climate resilient. Part of this climate resilience is also adaptation to (extreme) heat. Although urban heat, its causes, consequences, and potential adaptation measures, have been extensively studied by scientists all over the world, the understanding of this problem among practitioners is still limited. Local governments are struggling with defining the urgency and finding the right arguments for adaptation to this aspect of climate change. Also questions asked by municipality officers often differ from those asked (and answered) by scientists. How do you define “heat stress”? What are the best adaptation measures for our city? How do we know we have reached “heat resilience”? Or; Shall we just do what they do in Italy?
Project Heat Resilient Cities is a cooperation of two research institutes, 13 municipalities, and a water authority in Netherlands. The aim of this project is to bring the current knowledge of urban heat adaptation to practice and to fill in the research gabs. The research focuses on clear visualizations of problematic areas, applicable heat resilient measures in Dutch context, and design guidelines leading towards more heat resilient cities. In this presentation, we will present an overview of practical tools (maps, instruments measures, visualizations, guidelines) that cities could use put heat resilience into practice.