Executive Summary
Rising global temperatures and increasing frequency of extreme heat events are placing cities at the forefront of climate risk. Urban areas experience amplified heat due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, where dense infrastructure, limited vegetation, and high energy consumption trap heat, raising temperatures significantly above surrounding rural areas. For climate-vulnerable cities—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—extreme heat threatens public health, infrastructure, water security, labor productivity, and economic stability.
Heatwaves are among the deadliest climate-related hazards globally. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly, children, outdoor workers, persons with disabilities, and residents of informal settlements—face disproportionate risks. Poor housing, lack of green spaces, limited access to cooling, and inadequate emergency preparedness exacerbate impacts.
This project, Urban Heat Action Plans for Climate-Vulnerable Cities, aims to develop and implement comprehensive, evidence-based Heat Action Plans (HAPs) that reduce heat-related mortality and economic losses while strengthening urban resilience. The initiative integrates early warning systems, public awareness campaigns, heat-resilient infrastructure planning, urban greening, data-driven governance, and inclusive social protection mechanisms.
Over a four-year period, the project will support three climate-vulnerable cities, directly benefiting approximately 2 million urban residents and indirectly influencing national climate adaptation policies. The project aligns with:
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
- SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being)
- Paris Agreement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)
Background and Rationale
- Escalating Urban Heat Risks
- Climate change is intensifying heatwaves in frequency, duration, and severity. Many cities are already experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Rapid urbanization compounds the problem, especially in cities with:
- High population density
- Expanding informal settlements
- Limited green cover
- Aging infrastructure
- Inadequate healthcare preparedness
- Climate change is intensifying heatwaves in frequency, duration, and severity. Many cities are already experiencing record-breaking temperatures. Rapid urbanization compounds the problem, especially in cities with:
Urban heat is not only an environmental issue but also a public health emergency. Heat stress contributes to dehydration, cardiovascular failure, kidney disease, and increased mortality. Additionally, heat reduces worker productivity, particularly in construction, transport, agriculture-related urban labor, and informal sectors.
- Economic Impacts
- Extreme heat disrupts:
- Energy systems due to high cooling demand
- Water supply systems
- Transportation infrastructure
- Small businesses and street vendors
- Industrial productivity
- Extreme heat disrupts:
Low-income populations often lack access to air conditioning or reliable electricity, increasing exposure.
- Need for Structured Heat Action Plans
- Cities that have implemented structured Heat Action Plans demonstrate significant reductions in heat-related mortality. Effective plans typically include early warning systems, cross-sector coordination, public outreach, healthcare preparedness, and urban design improvements.
However, many climate-vulnerable cities lack:
This project addresses these gaps through an integrated urban climate adaptation strategy.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To reduce heat-related health risks, economic losses, and infrastructure vulnerability in climate-vulnerable cities through comprehensive Urban Heat Action Plans.
Specific Objectives
- Develop city-specific Heat Action Plans based on scientific risk assessments.
- Establish early warning and public communication systems.
- Implement nature-based and infrastructure-based heat mitigation measures.
- Strengthen healthcare system preparedness.
- Enhance community awareness and behavioral adaptation.
- Integrate heat resilience into long-term urban planning frameworks.
Target Beneficiaries
- Primary Beneficiaries:
- Residents of informal settlements
- Elderly populations
- Outdoor workers (construction, street vendors, transport workers)
- Public school students
- Public health institutions
- Secondary Beneficiaries:
- Municipal authorities
- Urban planners
- Local businesses
- Utility providers
Gender-sensitive approaches will ensure women, especially caregivers and informal workers, are included in planning and interventions.
Project Components and Activities
- Component 1: Heat Risk Assessment and Data Systems
- Activities:
- Urban heat mapping using satellite and ground-based data
- Vulnerability assessments by neighborhood
- Identification of high-risk populations
- Development of heat-health surveillance systems
- Outputs:
- City-level heat vulnerability index
- GIS-based heat maps
- Evidence-based planning framework
- Activities:
- Component 2: Development of Heat Action Plans
- Activities:
- Multi-stakeholder consultations
- Establishment of inter-agency heat task forces
- Drafting and validation of city-specific HAPs
- Policy alignment with national climate adaptation plans
- Outputs:
- Officially adopted Heat Action Plans
- Defined institutional responsibilities
- Emergency response protocols
- Activities:
- Component 3: Early Warning Systems and Public Communication
- Component 4: Urban Cooling and Nature-Based Solutions
- Activities:
- Urban tree planting initiatives
- Creation of shaded public spaces
- Green roofs and cool roof programs
- Reflective pavement pilots
- Water feature installations in high-risk areas
- Outputs:
- Increased urban green cover
- Reduced surface temperatures
- Enhanced public comfort zones
- Activities:
- Component 5: Heat-Resilient Infrastructure and Building Codes
- Activities:
- Review and update building codes
- Promotion of passive cooling designs
- Retrofitting public buildings
- Cooling centers in vulnerable neighborhoods
- Outputs:
- Climate-resilient infrastructure standards
- Reduced indoor heat exposure
- Increased access to cooling facilities
- Activities:
- Component 6: Health System Preparedness
- Activities:
- Training healthcare workers
- Stockpiling emergency medical supplies
- Establishing heat-health monitoring protocols
- Strengthening hospital surge capacity
- Outputs:
- Reduced heat-related morbidity and mortality
- Improved health emergency coordination
- Activities:
- Component 7: Social Protection and Labor Adaptation
- Activities:
- Flexible working hour policies
- Support for informal workers
- Emergency cash transfers during extreme heat
- Workplace safety regulations
- Outputs:
- Reduced occupational heat stress
- Economic protection for vulnerable workers
- Activities:
Implementation Strategy
- Phase 1: Assessment and Planning (Months 1–8)
- Baseline studies
- Stakeholder consultations
- Heat mapping
- Phase 2: Plan Development and System Setup (Months 9–18)
- Heat Action Plan finalization
- Early warning systems installation
- Institutional training
- Phase 3: Infrastructure and Community Interventions (Months 19–36)
- Urban greening
- Cooling centers
- Public awareness campaigns
- Phase 4: Institutionalization and Policy Integration (Months 37–48)
- Policy reforms
- Budget allocation frameworks
- Final evaluation
Expected Outcomes
- Reduction in heat-related mortality by at least 25% in target cities.
- Increased urban green coverage by 15%.
- Operational early warning systems in all pilot cities.
- Integration of heat resilience into municipal development plans.
- Improved adaptive capacity among vulnerable populations.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Key Indicators:
- Heat-related mortality and hospitalization rates
- Urban temperature differentials
- Green space expansion
- Number of people reached by early warning systems
- Adoption of heat-resilient policies
Data Collection Methods:
- Meteorological data analysis
- Health records review
- Household surveys
- Satellite imagery
- Policy tracking tools
Mid-term and final evaluations will assess effectiveness and scalability.
Sustainability Plan
- Institutionalization of heat task forces
- Integration into city budgets
- Public-private partnerships
- Community stewardship of green spaces
- Capacity building for municipal staff
The project will develop a scalable Heat Action Plan toolkit for replication in additional cities.
Conclusion
Extreme heat is a silent but deadly climate threat, particularly in rapidly urbanizing and climate-vulnerable cities. Without proactive planning, rising temperatures will continue to increase mortality, strain health systems, reduce productivity, and deepen inequality.
Urban Heat Action Plans provide a structured, cost-effective, and life-saving framework for climate adaptation. By combining science, governance, infrastructure, and community engagement, this project offers a practical roadmap for heat-resilient cities.
Investing in heat resilience today will protect lives, safeguard economic growth, and build sustainable urban futures in the face of escalating climate change.
