10. 04. 2025
Author: Zuzana Novotná
Heat islands coming soon to your cities
Urban heat islands are not science fiction, but a BURNING problem that threatens our health and well-being. Don't wait until it's too late!
Urban heat islands (UHIs) are a phenomenon where urbanized areas experience higher temperatures than the surrounding rural environment. This phenomenon results from the replacement of natural surfaces with materials such as concrete and asphalt, which absorb and subsequently radiate more heat. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in average temperatures, which amplifies the MTO. The year 2024 was the warmest in the country since 1961 and this trend continues in 2025. March 2025 was the warmest globally in the history of measurements.
Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves are increasing health risks for urban dwellers, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Cities must take measures to mitigate the MTO effect, for example by increasing the proportion of green spaces, using materials with lower heat absorption, and promoting energy-efficient buildings.
✅ Learn how to survive climate change healthily on CoolRegion - https://data.coolregion.eu/apps/6546781c3ec14e39881d52b5c9680eca/explore
✅ Find out how prepared your municipality is to eliminate heat islands with the project assessment tool
✅ Be inspired by successful examples from the Czech Republic and abroad