The "Heat Island" Effect - Will European Cities Become Uninhabitable?
The summer of 2025 has once again been marked by a series of heat waves that have engulfed large parts of Europe. Nowhere are the effects of this extreme weather more strongly felt than in the continent's urban areas. This is due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon, which significantly increases temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas, intensifying the impact of heat waves.
Surface temperatures in cities were up to 10-15°C higher than in surrounding rural areas during the summer, according to data from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre.
These figures are particularly worrying, given the large number of people affected. Almost 40% of Europe's total population lives in cities, while just under 70% in urban areas.
This phenomenon is a major health concern across Europe. A study by the NOVA National School of Public Health in Portugal found that hospital admissions increased by 18.9% from baseline levels during heatwave days, straining healthcare systems.
The heat island effect occurs mainly at night, when people do not cool down properly while sleeping, which negatively affects health. This phenomenon is caused by several factors, ranging from the extensive use of construction materials, the concentration of buildings and heavy traffic. As a result, during the day the maximum temperature in cities is higher, but even at night it does not bring a significant decrease in degrees.
Tall buildings and narrow streets exacerbate this effect, as they heat the air that remains between them, blocking the natural circulation of wind that would help cool the air.
In many cities, this is particularly true in the poorest urban areas, characterized by dense and irregular urbanization. This factor, combined with poor housing conditions, lack of insulation, and limited access to green spaces or other ways to cool down, makes the heat island effect a socio-economic issue.
However, cities can take a number of measures to mitigate the urban heat island effect. These include creating wind corridors for ventilation, building green roofs and facades, planting more vegetation, and making better use of water.
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