topos 127 | heat

60,000 – according to the WHO, this was the number of heat-related deaths in Europe in 2022 alone. The heat island effect causes temperatures in metropolitan areas to rise to extreme levels. Not only does this heat have a negative impact on the well-being and health of city dwellers, it also effects energy consumption and of air and water quality. It is one of the biggest challenges that cities face today. If not the biggest. But the urban heat island effect is far from unstoppable. From green roofs to sponge cities to misting, in the 127th issue of topos magazine we explore how cities around the world are tackling the heat and bring you the latest approaches, innovations and projects in this battle against urban climate change.

Topics

MELTING CITIES
How urban heat kills minorities and what can be done about it

FIGHTING THE HEAT WITH GREENERY AND CLAY
The value of traditional construction

KUALA LUMPUR
How to cool a tropical city

UNLIVEABLE IN EAST ASIA
A pessimistic outlook

PROJECTS
Green and blue ideas to counter urban heat

MERGING CITY AND NATURE
Mitigating urban heat islands

EXPOSING THE HIDDEN KILLERS
How heatmapping could help cool our cities

LET’S BEAT THE HEAT!
Join in and become part of the initiative

EUROPE'S HEAT-PROOF CITIES
An overview

MADRID
Turning an urban heat island into an urban cooling island

FRANKFURT
Heat in the city

URBAN HEAT VISUALIZED
a Picture Series

THE ART OF FIGHTING HEAT
Artful projects to combat heat

BOSTON
How it tackles the heat

THINK VERTICALLY FOR A CHANGE!
A commentary

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