Speakers
Description
Climate change is significantly increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, posing severe risks to health. According to the Lancet Countdown (2023), heat-related deaths among the elderly have risen by approximately 85% in recent years. Additionally, a recent study published in Nature estimates that, without effective mitigation, extreme temperatures could result in an additional 2.3 million deaths in European cities by the end of the century (Masselot et al., 2025). COP29 has emphasized that "health is the argument for climate action," highlighting the urgent need to prioritize health in climate adaptation strategies.
The critical link between climate change and health is one of the most pressing challenges for planners, as extreme heat is a major driver of rising mortality rates and has become the most frequent natural disaster. Moreover, record-breaking temperatures are already transforming how people experience urban life and public spaces. Planners are helping cities worldwide develop strategies such as green infrastructure to enhance resilience and adaptability to multiple hazards. These solutions mitigate urban heat islands (UHI) by providing cooling benefits while also facilitating natural processes that improve soil water absorption and reduce runoff (Keith et al., 2020). To achieve meaningful results, adaptive solutions must be systematically implemented, focusing on replicable, flexible, and cost-effective measures that generate co-benefits for health, the environment, and the economy (Orsetti et al., 2022). Additionally, green and accessible public spaces incorporating nature-based solutions (NbS) can play a crucial role in improving urban health and well-being (UN-Habitat, 2025).
Building on these premises, this paper examines the potential of climate shelters in schoolyards as a strategy to reduce heat exposure and promote health in urban environments (Caldarice et al., 2025). Specifically, urban climate shelters offer a promising approach to maximizing the co-benefits of urban nature, from climate change mitigation and adaptation to improved health, well-being, and social equity, particularly for children and other vulnerable populations exposed to extreme heat (Pincegher et al., 2025). As highlighted in the 2025 Trend Report for Planners by the American Planning Association, cooling centres play a vital role in providing shelter from extreme heat. However, while these facilities are being implemented more frequently and for longer periods, encouraging residents to use them remains a challenge. Planners can play a key role in raising public awareness about cooling centres and integrating supportive services to reach those most in need as extreme heat events become more common. To address this challenge, this paper will present the primary findings of the ongoing EU-funded project MAINCODE – MAINstreaming nature to CO-DEsign urban climate shelters in schoolyards. As part of the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, MAINCODE promotes the integration of NbS in schoolyards and public access to these spaces as a climate adaptation measure. The project emphasizes the importance of embedding cooling solutions within schoolyards and incorporating them into broader urban adaptation strategies and policies to foster healthier and more resilient cities. Ultimately, MAINCODE views urban climate shelters as a viable solution to mitigate extreme temperatures, manage heat-related hazards, and enhance health, well-being, and social cohesion, particularly for those most vulnerable to climate extremes.
References
Caldarice, O., Pincegher, B., Pizzorni, M. & Tollin, N., 2025. Urban climate shelters: A nature-based solution for urban resilience. In: Firoz, C.M., Dashora, L.K. & Shaw, R., eds. Nature-based solutions for urban and peri-urban areas for resilient and sustainable urbanization. Springer.
Keith, L., Meerow, S. & Wagner, T., 2020. Planning for extreme heat: A review. Environmental Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 47(5), pp. 721-740. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1142/S2345737620500037
Masselot, M., et al., 2025. Estimating future heat-related and cold-related mortality under climate change, demographic and adaptation scenarios in 854 European cities. Nature, [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03452-2
Orsetti, E., Tollin, N., Lehmann, M., Valderrama, V.A. & Morató, J., 2022. Building resilient cities: Climate change and health interlinkages in the planning of public spaces. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), p. 1355. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031355
Pincegher, B., Pizzorni, M., Caldarice, O. & Tollin, N., 2025. Urban climate shelters to adapt cities to climate change: A proposal for schoolyards in Turin (Italy). In: A.A.V.V., ed. Designing resilience: Strategies for the sustainable development and understanding of urban complexity. Genoa University Press.
UN-Habitat, 2025. Healthier Cities and Communities Through Public Spaces. [online] Available at: https://unhabitat.org/healthier-cities-and-communities-through-public-spaces
| Keywords | Climate shelters; Climate change; Extreme heat; Nature-based solutions (NbS); Health |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
