12.02.2025
Three cities take action against extreme heat and adopt heat action plans
As part of the Ready4Heat project, Climate Alliance has supported the three cities, Weiz (AT), Hajdúböszörmény (HU), and Maribor (SLO), over the past three years developing ambitious heat action plans. The newly adopted Heat and Health Action Plans (HHAPs) include heat warning systems, emergency measures as well urban greening initiatives, and infrastructure adaptations to create cooler, more liveable cities.
Hajdúböszörmény: Preparing for a Hotter Future
Hajdúböszörmény is particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, with projections indicating a 90% increase in heat days by 2050. The city’s Heat and Health Action Plan (HHAP) focuses on protecting its citizens—especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions—through emergency cooling measures, increased green spaces, and public awareness campaigns. The national heat warning system provides the basis for the city's communication and heat warning measures, and it's strategy addresses urban planning issues such as nature-based solutions for creating cool spaces in the open areas of the city. The planned key measures include short-term actions such as cooling centers, public water stations, and heat warnings; medium-term measures such as green urban spaces and shaded "cooling islands" as well as long-term measures to integrate heat adaptation into urban planning and sustainable energy strategies. The city’s HHAP also emphasizes collaboration with local health organizations and public education on heat safety and UV protection.
Maribor: Creating a Heat-Resilient City
The Municipality of Maribor aims to ensure public health and well-being through its Strategy and Heat Action Plan. The plan prioritizes greening initiatives, urban design improvements, and public education campaigns to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures. Maribor’s plan focuses on protecting people by raising awareness about heat waves and their dangers, particularly for at-risk groups, adapting its infrastructure by expanding green spaces, promoting heat-resistant materials, and ensuring access to cool public areas. The municipality puts a special emphasis on public awareness by disseminating real-time weather updates and conducting educational workshops. A steering group will oversee the plan’s implementation and regularly report progress to the City Council. Additionally, the plan includes a unique "List of Maribor Tree Species" to guide sustainable urban planting efforts.
Weiz: A Comprehensive Approach to Heat Management
Weiz’s Heat and Health Action Plan integrates public health protection, infrastructure adaptation, and climate resilience strategies. The city has outlined a multi-level response to extreme heat:
- Short-term: Public information campaigns, hydration initiatives, and real-time heat alerts.
- Medium-term: Increased drinking water access, shaded public areas, and designated cooling stations.
- Long-term: Sustainable urban planning, tree planting programs, and mandatory green space regulations.
To ensure accountability, Weiz has established a monitoring framework within its Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP). A dedicated task force will track key indicators such as reductions in heat-related health incidents and urban greening expansion.
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