Madrid, Frankfurt, Vienna: How are European cities adapting to heatwaves?

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🗞️ Driving the news: Parts of Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey are experiencing intense heatwaves, exposing urban vulnerabilities and highlighting the importance of climate adaptation strategies such as trees, water features, and green buildings

🔭 The context: Cities experience the 'urban heat island' effect, trapping heat between buildings and concrete
• Innovative measures in cities like Vienna, Frankfurt, and Madrid offer solutions, including cooling streets, ventilation corridors, and climate shelters

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As climate change intensifies, urban areas must adopt nature-based solutions to mitigate extreme heat
• Trees, green roofs, and water features not only cool cities but also provide ecological and social benefits

⏭️ What's next: Urban planners must prioritize green infrastructure to combat rising temperatures
• Tools like the C40 Cool Cities Network’s ‘Heat Resilient Cities’ can help cities quantify and maximize the benefits of green spaces

💬 One quote: "Green roofs have numerous positive effects. They protect a building, they insulate and they cool it." - Lara-Maria Mohr, Frankfurt Environment Department

📈 One stat: Trees can reduce surface temperatures by up to 12°C in summer, according to a 2021 satellite study

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