Since I started working on urban cooling, I keep hearing the same thing: “This is interesting, but local officials don’t have time to look into it.”
Yet, there is already a wide range of guides and publications on heat adaptation — many of which remain unread.
So I decided to try something different. I set myself a challenge: create a guide for local governments that fits on a single A4 page.
It proposes a simple 3-step strategy to take action at low cost:
- Assess and understand heat vulnerability.
- Plan and define cooling priorities.
- Act gradually and adapt over time.
This guide brings together the methodology I developed with my consulting firm Freio - climate design through various urban cooling projects. It is based on extensive field experience and practical feedback.
It is not 50 pages long — it focuses on what really matters. It helps local authorities develop a tailored Local Cooling Plan based on their specific context and resources.
This guide is freely available and can be downloaded here.
Adapting to heat starts today.
Image: Freio - climate design