Massimo I beat / EPA
Heat wave hits the city of Rome in Italy
Researchers at the University of Coimbra try to reduce the impact of extreme heat on visitors and residents.
An research team at the University of Coimbra (UC) is coordinating a project that has the priority to reduce the impact of visitors and residents, making the freshest Mediterranean cities.
The project is underway in five cities in Europe: Lisbon, Budva (Montenegro), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Imola (Italy) and Marsel (France).
In the capital is being conducted a pilot study to enhance the so-called “Fresh paths”: routes where gardens and shadow provide a more pleasant experience to residents and tourists.
The UC team has been following data collection regarding the impacts of air temperature on the city’s visitors and the benefits of these “fresh paths”, along with tourists and residents.
Later, it will coordinate the scientific evaluation of the potential benefits of test interventions to be implemented.
In the other cities framework, the identification and dissemination of coolerbeing also in progress “the creation of pedestrian zones without traffic; the installation of shadow awnings; the plantation of trees; The placement of picnic tables with sun protection and flower boxes, ”explain the authors of the study, in a statement sent to ZAP.
A Augmented reality application to attract visitors to refreshing spaces, as a way of combat not only heat, but also the congestion of central attractions – which is being tested at the Maritime Museum in Dubrovnik ”
The leader of this study, ANA MARIA CALDEIRAhad already done an investigation in which he tracked routes of hotel guests in Lisbon and found Scientific evidence that increased maximum daily temperature has a negative impact on the experience and satisfaction of participants in the study.
The UC team expects this project to contribute to Think the future of citiesnamely “adaptation solutions and, more broadly, generate knowledge to assist operational or strategic decision -making processes in the context of urban planning and planning actions”.
Scientists also underline the vital role of green spaces, That “they can function as freshness refuges in urban areas severely affected by heat waves, offering not only a unique cultural and landscape experience, but also conditions to reduce the thermal discomfort of visitors and residents.”
“We hope that the results of Cool Noons can contribute to the adaptation of these cities to climate change, as well as to provide examples of replicable initiatives in other cities Mediterranean and other geographies facing similar challenges, ”he says.
