Tailored Neighborhood Heat Plans: Strengthening Community Preparedness through Collaborative Engagement

The Heat Neighborhood Approach (De Wijkaanpak Hitte) is a collaborative effort in three neighborhoods of Rotterdam involving the municipality of Rotterdam, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond, crucial community initiatives, and residents. The project develops practical, community-driven strategies to enhance neighborhood resilience against heatwaves by building on existing knowledge and tailoring interventions to local needs. Over a year, various interventions—especially those focused on resident behavior and community engagement—were designed, tested, and evaluated for their effectiveness.

Existing national and local heat plans often fall short, partly due to their top-down approach. Neighborhoods of low economic status are particularly vulnerable, with limited green spaces, older, poorly insulated rental housing, and fewer resources to adapt. Heat is not seen as a priority for many residents, and organizations often lack sufficient preparation, emphasizing the need for tailored, collaborative neighborhood heat plans.

Neighborhoods differ significantly based on their physical and socio-economic characteristics, making customization essential. A key outcome of this project is the development of neighborhood heat plans for the three pilot neighborhoods, created by and with residents. These plans provide step-by-step guidance for mitigating risks during extreme heat and complement the Dutch national and local heat plans.

Crucial insights reveal that formal and informal networks vary across neighborhoods, with informal networks and neighborhood coordinators playing vital roles in successful heat adaptation.

To support broader implementation, the project developed a practical template that other neighborhoods and municipalities can use to create tailored heat plans. This framework helps address community-specific needs while promoting effective collaboration and decision-making.