TY - JOUR

T1 - Facing the heat

T2 - A systematic literature review exploring the transferability of solutions to cope with urban heat waves

AU - Hintz, Marie Josefine

AU - Lüderitz, Christopher

AU - Lang, Daniel J.

AU - von Wehrden, Henrik

PY - 2018/6

Y1 - 2018/6

N2 - Urban heat waves are an increasing phenomenon around the world. Over the last decade the combination of climate change and the urban heat island effect have resulted in rising temperatures in cities. The related heat stress has severe impact on urban populations and infrastructure. However, it is unclear to what extent solutions to urban heat waves depend on context or if similarities can be identified that would support their adoption to different urban settings. The purpose of this study is to gain a better overview of solution characteristics and ultimately of their transferability. Based on a systematic qualitative and quantitative literature review we analysed solutions to urban heat waves with regard to geographical distribution, specific characteristics and pivotal actors. Results show that the sampled case studies concentrated on North America, Europe and Australia. The analysed solutions focus mostly on the use of green and blue infrastructure or grey infrastructure. Our review highlights city administration as pivotal actor for implementing solutions and emphasizes the importance of inhabitants as well as local governments as essential actors for adaptation to urban heat waves. We conclude by formulating recommendations to increase transferability of solutions to urban heat waves.

AB - Urban heat waves are an increasing phenomenon around the world. Over the last decade the combination of climate change and the urban heat island effect have resulted in rising temperatures in cities. The related heat stress has severe impact on urban populations and infrastructure. However, it is unclear to what extent solutions to urban heat waves depend on context or if similarities can be identified that would support their adoption to different urban settings. The purpose of this study is to gain a better overview of solution characteristics and ultimately of their transferability. Based on a systematic qualitative and quantitative literature review we analysed solutions to urban heat waves with regard to geographical distribution, specific characteristics and pivotal actors. Results show that the sampled case studies concentrated on North America, Europe and Australia. The analysed solutions focus mostly on the use of green and blue infrastructure or grey infrastructure. Our review highlights city administration as pivotal actor for implementing solutions and emphasizes the importance of inhabitants as well as local governments as essential actors for adaptation to urban heat waves. We conclude by formulating recommendations to increase transferability of solutions to urban heat waves.

KW - Climate change

KW - Extreme heat events

KW - Systematic literature review

KW - Transferability of solutions

KW - Urban environments

KW - Urban heat waves

KW - Transdisciplinary studies

KW - Didactics of sciences education

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85031087750&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.uclim.2017.08.011

DO - 10.1016/j.uclim.2017.08.011

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85031087750

VL - 24

SP - 714

EP - 727

JO - Urban Climate

JF - Urban Climate

SN - 2212-0955

ER -