How will we live in hotter cities?

With temperatures in the UK approaching record levels for June, people are being advised to avoid exercise and take on board plenty of fluids. But how will the country cope long term? And how will cities like Liverpool – several degrees hotter than the countryside – adapt to keep residents cool?

We asked geographers Dr Neil Simcock and Dr Sasha Kosanic for their thoughts …

“Summer temperatures of more than 30 degrees are unfortunately the new normal and if you live in places like Liverpool, London or other large cities, the heat effects are even worse,” says Neil.

“Thankfully, this is being taken seriously by the authorities who are encouraging common sense measures like drinking plenty of fluid, avoiding unnecessary travel and checking in on elderly relatives and neighbours.

'Futureproof now'

“The bad news is that we have a built environment that is making things worse, and as a society we need to start making changes now in urban planning and housing policy to futureproof ourselves rising temperatures.”

Neil and Sasha recommended the following measures to build resilience against future heatwaves:

• Ensure new-build homes are ‘future proofed’ against extreme heat: External shutters or shading should be standard and mandatory for all new build homes.
• Encourage the retrofit of existing homes with cooling features, such as insulation, shading features like awnings, and low-cost measures such painting roofs with white paint to reflect back the sun.
• Plant more trees as they are a natural air conditioner that provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration.
• Replace asphalt surfaces in urban areas. Asphalt absorbs the sun's energy and releases this back into the environment as heat. Replacing this with lighter surfaces can reduce the 
• Reduce car use, especially in city centres.
• Install drinking fountains in public spaces.

Neil added that changes need to be social as well as physical: “Beyond those physical measures, we can also promote what’s termed ‘social infrastructure’ – collective spaces where people can gather and support one another, rather than being isolated in their homes. Examples are places like libraries and parks, which can be used as community ‘cooling centres’ during heatwaves.”

Care for vulnerable

Sasha said adaptations need to recognise the circumstances of especially vulnerable populations: “Evidence shows that marginalised groups, such as the disabled, elderly and those on low incomes, are disproportionately affected by heatwaves, so we have to be mindful of making changes in ways that are equitable and do not widen existing  health conditions and disparities.

“For example, parks and open spaces need to cater for all in terms of accessibility. For green spaces to be fully inclusive, facilities for disabled people and children are essential.”