1,3,1,2,1,3- 1Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Electronics and Informatics Department, Brussel, Belgium (andrei.covaci@vub.be)
- 2Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Antwerp, Belgium
- 3Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like heatwaves. Urban areas experience elevated temperatures, known as the Urban Heat Island effect, which heighten heat stress and pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, leading to excess mortality. To mitigate these urban heat impacts, cities must implement adaptation strategies, such as expanding green spaces.
To raise awareness, we developed the Instant Urban Climate with AI workshop, an interactive experience where participants explore the relationship between land usage and temperature. Using color-coded LEGO blocks representing land-use types, participants build simplified city models, which are photographed and converted into temperature maps using a machine learning model, trained on measurements of the VLINDER network [Caluwaerts et al., 2021], ensuring realistic temperature simulations.
We introduced the “Cool Your City” game to gamify the workshop, where participants modify a predefined city to minimize nighttime temperatures. The Instant Urban Climate with AI workshop has been a success at multiple outreach events in Brussels, each attracting over 150 participants daily.
Since previous presentations [Covaci et al., 2024], the workshop now features an improved user interface and a redesigned box made of LEGO with a Raspberry Pi, making it easier for schools and enthusiasts to build their own “temperature box.” We present the workshop and how we measured its effectiveness through a questionnaire based on the guidelines by IMPACTLAB [Land-Zandstra et al.].
Caluwaerts, S., et al. (2021). Engaging schools to explore meteorological observational gaps. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 102(6), E1126–E1132.
Covaci, A., et al. (2024). Interactive instant urban climate modelling with AI and LEGO-cities. EGU General Assembly 2024, Abstracts. Vienna, Austria & Online. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-9597
Land-Zandstra, A., et al. (2023). Het meten van impact van wetenschapscommunicatie: Eindrapport IMPACTLAB. IMPACTLAB.
How to cite: Covaci, A., Kooli, M. F., Grupping, J., Verelst, J., Coenen, H., Top, S., De Paepe, G., and De Cruz, L.: LEGO Urban Climate Game: Engaging the Public in Urban Heat Island Awareness through Interactive Workshops, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-410, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-410, 2025.
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