The heat island effect

The heat island effect refers to the phenomenon where urban areas become significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas due to human activities. This effect occurs primarily because of the way cities are constructed and the materials they use. Cities are filled with buildings, roads, and other structures made from materials like concrete, asphalt, and brick. These materials absorb and retain heat from the sun much more efficiently than natural surfaces like soil, grass, or water. During the day, these materials heat up, and at night, they slowly release the stored heat, keeping the urban area warmer. Besides, urban areas often have less vegetation than rural areas. Plants and trees provide shade and release moisture through transpiration, which cools the air. The lack of vegetation in cities means less cooling and more heat retention. Cities have also a higher concentration of vehicles and buildings that generate heat through air conditioning, industrial processes, and transportation. This additional heat contributes to the overall warming of the area.

All these situations result in higher temperatures in cities, which lead to increased use of air conditioning, which drives up energy consumption and can exacerbate heat-related illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly.
Some mitigation strategies include increasing the number of parks, gardens, and green roofs, which can help cool urban areas, installing cool roofs, and designing cities with more open spaces, vegetation, and lighter-coloured surfaces, which can mitigate heat retention.

Summer energy poverty and the role of community spaces

Summer energy poverty is when households, particularly those with low income, struggle to afford the energy needed to keep their homes cool during the hot summer months.
Community spaces are crucial in supporting vulnerable consumers, particularly during extreme weather conditions like heat waves. These spaces provide essential services and resources that help mitigate the risks associated with heat exposure, especially for those who may not have adequate cooling in their homes. Community spaces also offer social support and connectivity, helping reduce isolation and reinforce community engagement.

EPIU’s outdoor interventions in Getafe

Within EPIU’s project implementation, two urban interventions were developed to improve the external thermal conditions of the immediate surroundings of the dwellings, incorporating strategies to mitigate the urban heat island in their design.

In addition to the architectural interventions, awareness-raising actions were developed. The interventions aimed to improve the comfort conditions of dwellings by reducing the temperature in the immediate environment in night and daytime summer conditions, following the proposals presented by the working team of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. UPM also coordinates the European project, H2020 funded Cooltorise on summer energy poverty with experience in outdoor interventions too which has resulted an enriching process for both projects.

In Fátima- La Alhóndiga neighborhood, a climate shelter was designed to protect from the extreme heat. In Margarita neighborhood, a new space, including permeable paving, has been designed to improve the quality and interaction of the neighborhood. While the climatic shelter responds daytime climatic severity and its effect on the comfort of the public space, the solution in Margarita also responds to night climatic severity, which is more relevant in heat island effect and its influence on the thermal comfort inside the dwellings.

The following link showcases a pre and post photo registration of the interventions  https://hogaressaludables.getafe.es/en/intervenciones-urbanas-registro-fotografico-upm/

Public community places such as these promoted by EPIU are vital in protecting vulnerable consumers from the dangers of extreme heat and other environmental challenges. They provide not only immediate relief during heatwaves but also ongoing support that helps individuals build resilience against future risks. These spaces play a central role in promoting health, safety, and well-being by fostering a sense of community, offering critical resources, and advocating for vulnerable populations.

More on EPIU

The project has already finished but all the information and resources is available on EPIU’s website: https://hogaressaludables.getafe.es/en/