Comparative Assessment of Human Vulnerability and Adaptation Measures influencing Perceived Heat Stress: Case Study of Stuttgart and Berlin, Germany

Heat stress has been recognised among the key priorities in guiding future climate change adaptation planning. Given the cities’ diverse vulnerability profiles, heat adaptation measures need to be tailored to address the needs of different socio-economic groups and urban settings (IPCC 2022, EEA 2023). To adequately explore this, within the framework of the urbisphere project (coupling dynamic cities and climate) we conducted household surveys in the cities of Stuttgart and Berlin with more than 560 household responses from each city. Both cities have faced an increasing number of hot days and tropical nights in recent years. We explore patterns in perceived heat stress and adaptation options across the two cities through a survey-based analysis while linking the results with different Urban Structure Types (USTs). The questionnaire covers a range of factors, including risk perception and risk awareness, availability of and access to green spaces, and heat adaptation measures employed by residents. By analysing the households’ experience of heat stress and adaptation options in selected areas of the cities and within different USTs, we highlight correlations between building typologies, social structures and perceived heat that influence practical adaptation options in Berlin and Stuttgart. The results highlight that adaptation strategies to buffer heat stress, such as access to shaded green spaces, vary across different socio-economic groups and USTs. We further emphasise that in both cities existing adaptation plans for heat stress need to sufficiently account for interlinkages with human vulnerability and adaptive capacities, which are critical determinants of overall urban heat risk.