Beating the heat: Urban Heat Solutions Guide

Related theme: Developing & Conserving a Resilient Living Environment 

The municipalities of Boxtel and Sint-Michielsgestel recognized the growing impact of prolonged heat waves on their built environment and sought guidance on integrating heat adaptation measures effectively. TAUW supported them in implementing the 'Menukaart Hitte' (Urban Heat Solutions Guide), a structured approach to addressing urban heat challenges.

Challenge - Working together to beat the heat

Heat is becoming an increasingly pressing issue in urban areas. Prolonged high temperatures lead to excessive warming of cities and buildings, resulting in inadequate nighttime cooling. This, in turn, affects residents' well-being, causing sleep problems, health issues and a reduction of overall productivity.

Addressing heat effects requires a holistic approach that spans across spatial planning, building design, and public health. That means that municipalities, housing corporations, and healthcare providers have to work together to develop integrated strategies that improve climate resilience. However, fostering cross-sector cooperation and structuring an actionable plan was a key challenge for MijnGemeenteDichtbij. 

Solution - A guide for cooler cities

TAUW provided strategic guidance and helped MijnGemeenteDichtbij structure their heat adaptation efforts. Our approach included:

• Supporting the municipal lead in drafting a foundational document outlining current heat-related policies and initiatives.
• Engaging municipal employees and external stakeholders, such as housing corporations and public health services, resulting in a local heat network.
• Establishing a dedicated municipal heat core team to ensure sustained focus on heat adaptation and continued municipal leadership on the topic.
• Organizing and facilitating two interactive workshops featuring the serious game 'Beat the Heat' to encourage knowledge-sharing and co-creation.
• Handing over workshop outputs to the heat core team for further refinement.
• Providing expert consultation on the development of an integrated heat action plan.
• Prioritized measures and projects, serving as critical input for the Integrated Heat Action Plan.

Impact - Strengthening collaboration on heat adaptation

The Menukaart Hitte brought greater awareness and commitment among municipal staff across spatial planning, building management and public health sectors. This strengthened the information exchange between key departments, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to heat adaptation. This project also led to a broad, interconnected network of internal and external stakeholders, which facilitates long-term collaboration on climate adaptation.

Partnership - Facilitating climate resilience

TAUW and MijnGemeenteDichtbij developed a highly effective and enjoyable collaboration. TAUW acted as a strategic partner and process facilitator, providing expertise and support while ensuring that the municipalities maintained full control over the process. This approach allowed MijnGemeenteDichtbij to take ownership of their heat adaptation initiatives and contributed to two future-proof municipalities

"The workshops were educational and showed us how we can work together more integrally. Many were surprised at how many disciplines are involved with heat"-  Francesca Wentink - MijnGemeenteDichtbij