Session S8

S8 | Transforming our cities to improve physical and mental health

Transforming our cities to improve physical and mental health

Conveners: Peter Hoffmann, Oscar Brousse | Co-conveners: James Milner, Clare Heaviside, Sabine Fritz, Charles Simpson

Orals

| Thu, 10 Jul, 09:00–10:30 (CEST)|Room Goudriaan 1+2

Posters

| Attendance Wed, 09 Jul, 17:15–18:30 (CEST) | Display Tue, 08 Jul, 13:30–Thu, 10 Jul, 13:30|Balcony

This session will bring together researchers working on urban climate at different scales and researchers interested in climate-related health issues from urban environments to improve the understanding of how urban climates can lead to additional or specific burdens for public health in cities. We encourage submissions from varying scales, including micro-scale studies focusing on the building and neighborhood levels, as well as larger meso- and macro-scales studies with a focus on regional to (supra-)national levels. Our session is aimed to go beyond biometeorological research fields that are more related to thermal comfort. The objective is to try to bridge between public health researchers and urban climatologists in order to build more sustainable and healthier cities by covering topics as varied as, but not restricted to:
- urban heat-related mortality and morbidity;
- increased risks of communicable diseases;
- changes in wellbeing and higher health risk for people with mental health conditions;
- changes in habitat suitability for mould development; etc.
We are looking for research that addresses the questions of maladaptation and poor climate mitigation design by welcoming abstract submissions that study the health (co-)benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation in cities as well as urban climate services, which address the needs of stakeholders from urban planning and public health.

Orals: Thu, 10 Jul, 09:00–10:30 | Room Goudriaan 1+2

Chairpersons: Charles Simpson, James Milner, Sabine Fritz

09:00–09:15

ICUC12-218

Onsite presentation

A systematic review on current challenges in and pathways for urban climate and health research in East Africa

Oscar Brousse, Tobi Morakinyo, Charles Simpson, Paul Mukwaya, Michael Davies, and Clare Heaviside

Africa is always presented as a focal point of attention for climate research and action to prevent catastrophic health impacts of future climates over the continent. In particular, East Africa is considered a challenging place to adapt to climate changes due to its rapid urbanisation, its population density – amongst the greatest in the world – and for the variety of extreme climates that compose its geographies: for example, the stormy areas around the Great Lakes and the Lake Victoria basin, the savannahs of the high East African Plateau, the tropical forests of the Congo Basin, or the dry and desertic areas of the Turkana Gap. Nevertheless, urban climate research does not appear to be pushing boundaries of current knowledge to inform climate-sensitive designs that will drive the creation of sustainable cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

By reviewing current literature on urban climate and health research in (East) Africa produced until the summer of 2024, we map out what are the most recurrent topics that relate both urban climate research and urban health and where most of the research has been perpetrated. Out of our corpus we extract the key conclusions of past research and try to understand what are the limiting factors that explain the current knowledge gaps in the area. We open our analysis on potential pathways for creating new momentum in urban climate and health research in East Africa. Finally, we discuss how this region could be at the lead current research on urban climate-related health issues by pushing boundaries on topics as varied as vector-borne diseases, extreme heat in tropical areas, flooding, and infectious diseases, among others.

How to cite: Brousse, O., Morakinyo, T., Simpson, C., Mukwaya, P., Davies, M., and Heaviside, C.: A systematic review on current challenges in and pathways for urban climate and health research in East Africa, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-218, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-218, 2025.

09:15–09:30

ICUC12-895

Onsite presentation

Identification of potential conflicts and synergies of climate adaptation and mitigation measures on health and well-being using an urban systems approach

Peter Hoffmann, Sabine Fritz, Deniz Sirin, Leo Loprieno, Jürgen Scheffran, Jobst Augustin, Sari Kovats, and James Milner

Cities face multiple challenges due to climate change. The increase in extreme events, such as heat waves, negatively impacts the health and well-being of urban populations. It is therefore crucial to adapt cities to changing environmental conditions to protect the health of different population groups. For example, many cities use urban greening to reduce heat stress as part of local heat health action plans. At the same time, cities are trying to reduce their carbon emissions through the implementation of climate mitigation measures, which range from changing mobility behaviors (e.g. switch from cars to active travel modes) to changes in buildings (e.g. improving insulation). Both types of climate action can have health co-benefits, but also conflicts. Sustainable urban planning should aim to reduce these conflicts and increase the benefits to health but often lack tools and scientific evidence to support decisions in practice.

A systems perspective can support a better understanding of the complex interactions between climate change, urban health and climate action. Within CoSynHealth, we extended the concept of health-related urban well-being (UrbWellth) to include processes related to climate change, climate adaptation, and climate mitigation as well as socio-demographic changes (e.g. aging of the population). Using heat-related impacts on health and well-being as an example, the extended approach can now support the identification of interactions and processes in cities that potentially lead to health co-benefits and trade-offs between the two types of climate action. It also provides guidance for an integrated modelling approach, which employs agent-based modelling and high-resolution urban climate modelling to quantify the co-benefits and trade-offs. This is an important step towards supporting city planners and health officials in developing carbon-neutral and healthy cities as well as to support the development of climate services.

How to cite: Hoffmann, P., Fritz, S., Sirin, D., Loprieno, L., Scheffran, J., Augustin, J., Kovats, S., and Milner, J.: Identification of potential conflicts and synergies of climate adaptation and mitigation measures on health and well-being using an urban systems approach, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-895, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-895, 2025.

09:30–09:45

ICUC12-429

Onsite presentation

Design and analysis of carbon-neutral lifestyle change scenarios for future assessment of health and wellbeing: An urban system-oriented approach

Deniz Sirin, Peter Hoffmann, and Jürgen Scheffran

Evidently, lifestyle changes could be an important element in the carbon-neutral and sustainable transformation of cities. The current research landscape provides numerous lifestyle change options for urban dwellers that aim to reduce demand-side greenhouse gas emissions. Our analysis of these options revealed that the bulk of these options were targeting urban mobility, buildings, households, and nutrition. However, we have found out that the studies on carbon-neutral lifestyle change options for cities (i) did not take the projected future changes in demographics and climate into account, and (ii) did not investigated the possible health outcomes. Furthermore, these lifestyle change options were presented as generic options that lacked the consideration for the feasibility and applicability to the various socio-demographic and socio-economic groups of urban population. In light of these findings, we discuss that how a previously developed conceptual model of health-related urban wellbeing could be employed for designing detailed climate-neutral lifestyle change scenarios that include interactions and interrelations between different variables of the urban system as well as the diverse and heterogeneous socio-economic and socio-demographic profile of urban dwellers.

In this current work, we present the application of our suggested approach for scenario design through developing detailed climate-neutral lifestyle change scenarios targeting urban mobility for a district of Hamburg, Germany. They are planned to be used as model scenarios in a rich data-driven agent-based model coupled with a high-resolution urban climate model (PALM4-U) to investigate their effects on individual heat stress exposure. With this presentation, our ultimate aim is to show how carbon-neutral lifestyle change scenario design can benefit from the utilization of a holistic scenario design process where health-related dynamics and variables within the urban system are taken into account, and how this approach can carry the proposed carbon-neutral lifestyle change options beyond the current one-size-fits-all approach.

How to cite: Sirin, D., Hoffmann, P., and Scheffran, J.: Design and analysis of carbon-neutral lifestyle change scenarios for future assessment of health and wellbeing: An urban system-oriented approach, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-429, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-429, 2025.

09:45–10:00

ICUC12-629

Onsite presentation

Spatial variations in heat exposure and effects of potential urban adaptation strategies on heat-related mortality in Brussels: a case study of the 2019 heatwave

Fien Serras, Inne Vanderkelen, Oscar Brousse, Charles Simpson, Dirk Lauwaet, Claire Demoury, Clare Heaviside, and Nicole P.M. van Lipzig

The urban heat island effect causes cities to experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. During heat waves, this phenomenon can amplify heat stress by exposing urban populations to more extreme temperatures than their rural counterparts. This can lead to increased heat-related mortality. With climate change expected to intensify heatwaves, cities are seeking effective adaptation strategies to reduce urban temperatures. However, key questions remain: which strategies should be prioritized, and where should these strategies be implemented?

We present the modelled impact of urban heat adaptation strategies on air temperature in Brussels during the Belgian heatwave of July 2019. Three adaptation strategies are tested: increasing street-level vegetation cover, enhancing roof albedo, and a combination of both. We use a mini-ensemble of three urban climate models (COSMO-CLM with TERRA_URB at 2.8 km horizontal resolution, WRF BEP-BEM at 1 km and UrbClim at 100 m) to simulate current conditions, the different adaptation scenarios and compare them to a scenario with no urban areas. With this approach, we identify temperature hotspots related to the presence of the city and quantify their role on heat exposure within Brussels. By applying an exposure-response function, we gain insight into deaths attributable to heat and, thus the impact of urban areas on heat-related mortality. Additionally, adaptation modelling assesses the reduction in deaths due to the implemented strategies. Lastly, the mini-ensemble improves our understanding of any gain from added complexity and resolution in the urban climate models.

How to cite: Serras, F., Vanderkelen, I., Brousse, O., Simpson, C., Lauwaet, D., Demoury, C., Heaviside, C., and van Lipzig, N. P. M.: Spatial variations in heat exposure and effects of potential urban adaptation strategies on heat-related mortality in Brussels: a case study of the 2019 heatwave, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-629, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-629, 2025.

10:00–10:15

ICUC12-108

Onsite presentation

The impact of adaptation and mitigation strategies on heat-related mortality in Nicosia, Cyprus: A modeling approach using WRF simulations and statistical models.

Giandomenico Vurro, Anna Tzyrkalli, Fragkeskos Kekkou, Theo Economou, Alberto Martilli, and Panos Hadjinicolaou

The association between elevated temperatures and increased mortality and morbidity risk is well-documented. This represents a significant public health concern, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) region, which has been identified as a climate change hotspot exhibiting substantial warming, drying, and more frequent heat waves. Mitigation and adaptation strategies can reduce temperatures and enhance thermal comfort in urban areas, thereby alleviating the heat-induced health burden. Building upon prior research, this study aims to quantify the potential impact of Nicosia's most effective heat mitigation scenarios on heat-related risk over a six-month period, spanning from April 15^th to October 15^th, 2020.

To accomplish this, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is coupled with the Multilayer BEP/BEM scheme to simulate the effects of heat mitigation strategies on temperatures, outdoor thermal comfort as measured by the Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI), and energy-use for space heating and cooling. Then, statistical and machine learning methods, such as the well-established Distributed Lag Non-Linear Models (DLNMs) and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) trained on historical data, are used to estimate the relative risks and attributable fractions of mortality associated with temperature fluctuations for each scenario throughout the study period. The considered strategies include (i) adopting cool roofs to minimize heat absorption, (ii) planting trees and expanding green areas within the city, (iii) combining cool roofs and urban trees, and (iv) combining urban trees with total roof coverage by photovoltaic panels to increase renewable energy generation.

This research can provide valuable insights to policymakers and urban planners on addressing climate change impacts in city regeneration projects by quantifying and comparing the benefits of these scenarios in terms of mortality alleviation.

How to cite: Vurro, G., Tzyrkalli, A., Kekkou, F., Economou, T., Martilli, A., and Hadjinicolaou, P.: The impact of adaptation and mitigation strategies on heat-related mortality in Nicosia, Cyprus: A modeling approach using WRF simulations and statistical models., 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-108, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-108, 2025.

10:15–10:30

ICUC12-195

Onsite presentation

Dose-Response Relationship between Green Walking Distance and Restorativeness of Pedestrians: Insights from a Pilot Study with Micro-Climate Measurements

Ruoxiang Tu, Shi Yin, Yiwei Bai, Yonghong Xu, and Yiqiang Xiao

Walking is a crucial transportation choice and physical activity for urban residents, especially with increasing urbanization and environmental issues. While it is well-established that walking through green spaces offers significant health benefits, the dose-response relationship between green walking exposure and its psychological impacts remains unclear. Additionally, the influence of the thermal environment on these benefits requires further investigation.

A protest-posttest and crossover experiment conducted in a campus green space during a subtropical transitional season. A total of 37 participants were randomly assigned to two walking interventions, each 2 km in length, within the same space. The interventions were separated by a one-week washout period, and the walking directions (clockwise or counterclockwise) were also randomized.

The Perceived Restorativeness Scale and Positive and Negative Affect Scale were used before and after a stress test, at the midpoint of and after the walk. Simultaneously, skin temperature and skin conductance levels were continuously recorded during the trial. Physical environmental parameters during the walks were measured using a mobile weather station carried by a researcher accompanying the participants. These parameters included air temperature, relative humidity, long-wave and short-wave radiation, noise levels, and major air pollutants such as CO and PM_2.5.

Physiological Equivalent Temperature during the walks was calculated, and paired t-tests and correlation analysis were used in Statistical analysis. The results showed that green walking had significant effects on participants’ physiological and psychological indicators, with noticeable stress reduction and mood improvement. Among the distances tested, a 2 km walk yielded the best restorative benefits, whereas the health benefits were weaker at 1 km and 2.5 km. Additionally, thermal comfort during the walks mediated the relationship between walking and the physiological, psychological, and restorative benefits. The mental health of pedestrians after green walking could be partially offset by thermal stress.

How to cite: Tu, R., Yin, S., Bai, Y., Xu, Y., and Xiao, Y.: Dose-Response Relationship between Green Walking Distance and Restorativeness of Pedestrians: Insights from a Pilot Study with Micro-Climate Measurements , 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-195, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-195, 2025.

Posters: Wed, 9 Jul, 17:15–18:30 | Balcony

Display time: Tue, 8 Jul, 13:30–Thu, 10 Jul, 13:30

Chairpersons: Oscar Brousse, Clare Heaviside, Peter Hoffmann

B18

ICUC12-939

Enabling cities to improve urban health and well-being through the analysis of climate action options co-benefiting with climate mitigation and climate adaptation

Sabine Fritz, Sebastian Singer, and Peter Hoffmann

More and more cities are implementing climate mitigation and climate adaptation strategies, as global temperatures rise, and heat waves become more frequent and extreme. However, the focus is not always on improving urban health and well-being, but on decreasing overall air temperatures instead. Focusing climate actions on health effects instead, can help to prioritize measures, avoid conflicts in spatial needs, and maximize co-benefits in planning processes, allocated resources, and health effects.

In CoSynHealth (Conflicts and Synergies between Carbon-neutral and Healthy City Scenarios, https://ms.hereon.de/cosyn/), we analyzed options for improving urban health and well-being using the case study of Hamburg, Germany. Over 1500 climate actions discussed by different stakeholder groups were compiled and systematically categorized based on the conceptual model for health-related urban well-being (UrbWellth). The dataset provides insight into the potential of i.e. changes in urban morphology, individual behavior, policy frameworks but also options for events and campaigns to improve urban health and well-being. From data collection, awareness raising, risk and vulnerability assessment, identification and evaluation of options, to implementation, monitoring and evaluation, the climate actions collected cover a wide range of steps toward healthier cities. As a special focus group, the dataset also includes climate actions suggested specifically for and by health care stakeholders on how to climate proof health care facilities and services.

As a climate service tool, the published data set outlines the range of climate actions that are by now widely recognized and discussed in a city like Hamburg. In addition, it provides options for scenario development for urban climate and agent-based modelling towards carbon neutral and healthy cities and indicates potential conflicts and synergies between climate actions. It can support decision-making to improve the resilience of urban neighborhoods to heat stress.

How to cite: Fritz, S., Singer, S., and Hoffmann, P.: Enabling cities to improve urban health and well-being through the analysis of climate action options co-benefiting with climate mitigation and climate adaptation , 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-939, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-939, 2025.

B19

ICUC12-1017

Environmental justice in urban space provision – a Data2Resilience case study in Dortmund, Germany

Charlotte Hüser, Panagiotis Sismanidis, Luise Weickhmann, Jonas Kittner, Benjamin Bechtel, and Vanessa Reinhart

Climate change presents significant challenges for urban areas, with heat waves posing a critical threat to urban resilience and liveability. New data-driven approaches can help to ensure equitable transformation of urban spaces while addressing environmental justice challenges. This study, done within the framework of the Data2Resilience (D2R) project, examines the distribution and quality of green spaces in Dortmund, Germany, through the lens of environmental justice. Therefore, we focuse on their societal value, accessibility, and role in mitigating heat exposure for vulnerable populations. Building on prior analyses of green space availability in Dortmund, we integrate demographic and vulnerability data to identify deficiencies in green space provision and quality. Hence, we consider both demand and supply criteria and quality characteristics, such as recreational features and noise pollution. The findings are synthesized into comprehensive maps, offering insights into environmental inequalities across Dortmund’s districts.

We found disparities in green space distribution and quality, with socioeconomically disadvantaged districts often underserved. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance equitable green space accessibility and functionality, emphasizing their role in fostering environmental justice and climate resilience. The spatial distribution of the D2R observation network contributes to increased representation and visibility of vulnerable and undersupplied hot spots in Dortmund and therefore builds a foundation for the application of data-driven actions and measures towards an environmental just urban space.

How to cite: Hüser, C., Sismanidis, P., Weickhmann, L., Kittner, J., Bechtel, B., and Reinhart, V.: Environmental justice in urban space provision – a Data2Resilience case study in Dortmund, Germany, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-1017, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-1017, 2025.

B20

ICUC12-628

Air conditioning, power failure, and health protection in UK residential care buildings

Charles Simpson, Giorgos Petrou, and Michael Davies

Recent monitoring of indoor temperatures in residential care buildings in the UK has demonstrated that overheating is widespread according to CIBSE standard criteria. Given the warming climate and increasing frequency of heatwaves, overheating is likely to increase in future. Updates to the building regulations require new residential buildings to meet these criteria by passive methods if possible and by air conditioning if not. Existing buildings have air conditioning in few areas: usually treatment rooms and sometimes common sitting areas. Questions remain over how best to reduce the health impact of overheating in these settings.

We explore the resilience implications of increasing use of air conditioning in these buildings. If buildings are reliant on air conditioning, then continuous power supply is required. We present results from a building energy model of care home buildings during a heatwave. The extreme heatwave of July 2022 was simulated. Stoppage of the cooling system was simulated as occurring during the peak of the heatwave, which in reality could be caused by a power failure or failure of the system itself. We demonstrate that under certain conditions the indoor temperature can increase very rapidly once cooling fails, reaching unacceptable levels in minutes. There are large variations between buildings and between rooms in buildings, depending on construction and orientation. We consider what building modifications and behavioural responses could reduce the impact of this on residents.

Adapting care homes to higher temperatures will be of increasing importance, and this research will help to identify what strategies are most effective and resilient.

How to cite: Simpson, C., Petrou, G., and Davies, M.: Air conditioning, power failure, and health protection in UK residential care buildings, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-628, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-628, 2025.

B21

ICUC12-240

Living with Schizophrenia in a Changing Climate: Housing, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Health Risks

Peter Crank and Liv Yoon

The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves is negatively impacting the health of individuals globally. Yet, there is a disparity in who heat harms. People with schizophrenia have died at disproportionately high rates in recent extreme heat events (EHE) in North America. This study will present the framing and approach to improved knowledge of how heat harms those with schizophrenia. We build on recent work that qualitatively explored the EHE experiences of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in British Columbia (BC), Canada, through which we found that this troubling trend reflects not only the physiological vulnerabilities associated with schizophrenia but also the systemic inequities in housing, social support, and access to care that compound their risk. To supplement these invaluable qualitative accounts, we aim to better understand heat experiences of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia by considering the intersection of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), physical and mental health data (cognition, mood), and the housing security conditions that affect thermal comfort and safety. Together with clinicians, geographers and community partners, our interdisciplinary study that will a) monitor Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) - using environmental sensors to monitor indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality over two summer seasons, assessing how these factors contribute to heat stress and overall well-being; b) assess Health and Mood Impacts via biannual questionnaires, health data from wearable fitness trackers, and cognition and mood assessments to explore how extreme and chronic heat, combined with poor air quality, influence the physical and mental health of people with schizophrenia; and d) amplify participant voices through Photovoice, where participants will document their experiences of extreme heat and poor air quality through photography and personal narratives. This humanizes the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations and provides rich, qualitative insights into the ways structural inequities shape vulnerability to environmental hazards.

How to cite: Crank, P. and Yoon, L.: Living with Schizophrenia in a Changing Climate: Housing, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Health Risks, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-240, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-240, 2025.

B22

ICUC12-340

Health Impacts of Extreme Temperature Events in Cyprus: Insights from a Mediterranean Climate Change Hotspot

Fragkeskos Kekkou, Theo Economou, Christina Anagnostopoulou, and George Zittis

The Mediterranean region, recognized as a hotspot for climate change, is experiencing significant warming and drying, with the Eastern Mediterranean facing particularly severe impacts. This study focuses on Cyprus, a Mediterranean island, where extreme temperatures and prolonged heatwaves during summer months are becoming more common, resulting in increased thermal stress. While extreme coldwaves are less frequent and understudied in this region, they still pose considerable health risks.

Using ERA5-Land temperature data along with mortality and hospitalization records from 2004 to 2019, the study examines the effects of extreme high and low temperatures and the added synergistic impacts of heatwaves and coldwaves on mortality and hospitalizations. Advanced statistical and machine learning methods, including Distributed Lag Non Linear Models (DLNMs) and Generalized Additive Models (GAMs), were used to quantify season-specific and cause-specific risks, alongside attributable fractions for wave and non-wave days, and during significant heatwave and coldwave events. According to our findings, mortality risks increase significantly during very high temperatures in the warm season and very low temperatures in the cold season, with heatwaves posing greater risks than coldwaves. Hospitalization risks are notably higher during the cold season. While cold-related mortality exceeds heat-related mortality in absolute terms, the rate of increase in attributable deaths during heatwaves is nine times greater than on typical warm season days, compared to twice as high for coldwave days versus typical cold season days. This highlights the need for strategies addressing both the overall burden of cold-related mortality and the acute risks posed by extreme heat events.

By addressing these critical issues on a national level, this study reveals key insights into the broader health risks posed by climate extremes, offering valuable perspectives for enhancing urban resilience and public well-being in regions or cities with climates similar to Cyprus across the Mediterranean.

How to cite: Kekkou, F., Economou, T., Anagnostopoulou, C., and Zittis, G.: Health Impacts of Extreme Temperature Events in Cyprus: Insights from a Mediterranean Climate Change Hotspot, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-340, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-340, 2025.

B23

ICUC12-80

Urban Heat Assessment, Heat Mitigation and Sustainability Promotion in Taiwan Compact Cities.

Si-Yu Yu

According to the worst-case scenario of global warming (SSP5-8.5), the temperature in Taiwan is expected to continue to rise in the future. The average annual temperature may rise to more than 1.8 ℃/ 3.4 ℃ by the middle /end of the 21^st century. And the number of days with high temperatures above 36 ℃ will increase 8.5 days/ 48.1 days by the middle /end of the 21^st century at various places in Taiwan. In short, people in Taiwan will have to deal with a really long and extremely hot summer for the future.

Though Taiwan will face more severe conditions in the future, there are no specific urban high temperature implementations and regulations comprehensively settled, and there is a lack of tools and mechanisms to effectively quantify or assess urban high temperature risks. Urban high temperature is not just a simple environmental phenomenon, but an important global issue involving environmental sustainability, human well-being, quality of life, and public health. For further identification of 1) the areas of higher urban heat risks, 2) the factors that affect the most, and 3) the assessment combining "built environment" and "social vulnerability" factors.

This study selected Taichung City as the demonstration target for urban heat risk assessment. By establishing quantitative and specific classification methods, it is possible to 1) comprehensively evaluate the performance of each district under high temperature, 2) identify the high urban heat risk characteristics of each district, which will help to take appropriate heat mitigation responses, and 3) through the classification, it is possible to identify areas with higher urban heat risks and areas with a trend of increasing risks in the future.

How to cite: Yu, S.-Y.: Urban Heat Assessment, Heat Mitigation and Sustainability Promotion in Taiwan Compact Cities., 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-80, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-80, 2025.

B24

ICUC12-886

Sun Safe Playgrounds: An Analysis of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) in Australia’s Sunshine Coast

Holly Carvolth and Silvia Tavares

Record cases of skin cancer in Australia emphasise the urgent need for greater Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) protection, particularly in public spaces and where children spend time. This study analysed shade provisions in 10 parks in the Sunshine Coast (Australia), all located in a highly desirable and rapidly developing area with projections of significant increase in population. Using a combination of empirical and quantitative methods, this work evaluated the existing shade infrastructure in playgrounds. Methods used included participant observation, shade analysis, and UVR measurements. Sky View Factor analysis and UVR measurements in several locations – within and around each audited playground – were undertaken to assess the protection factor and effectiveness of shade structures, and a 3D model of each of the 10 parks was developed to assess the shade coverage. Results highlighted disparities regarding shade effectiveness. Whilst all parks had some form of built shade, playgrounds with dense trees proved more effective in reducing UVR levels. In addition, the size, quality, age, and shade cloths’ placement impact its protection capacity. Overall, the significant severity of UVR levels in these areas was unveiled, indicating the need for greater shade-based regulations to guarantee UVR protection. This work contributes to raising awareness regarding the relationship between skin cancer prevention and the urban design and planning professions. It also highlights that skin cancer is a major issue alongside urban heat, and safe and shade-based designs must be a priority for long-term population health, particular in tropical and subtropical locations.

How to cite: Carvolth, H. and Tavares, S.: Sun Safe Playgrounds: An Analysis of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) in Australia’s Sunshine Coast, 12th International Conference on Urban Climate, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 7–11 Jul 2025, ICUC12-886, https://doi.org/10.5194/icuc12-886, 2025.

Orals: Thu, 10 Jul, 09:00–10:30 | Room Goudriaan 1+2

Posters: Wed, 9 Jul, 17:15–18:30 | Balcony

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