Insights

Cities in the North Sea Region are heating up. Heatwaves are becoming longer, stronger, and more frequent. While many cities are already planting trees and installing green roofs, the question remains: Which neighbourhoods and groups are most at risk? And how can cities set the right priorities to protect them?

Why smart planning is needed

Smart planning helps bridge the gap between climate goals and day-to-day decisions. Developed by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences - as part of the Cool Cities project - this plan supports eight partner cities in shaping effective, fair, and future-proof heat adaptation strategies. Although many cities have access to valuable data on housing, health, and income, this information is rarely used systematically. Responsibilities are often fragmented, and coordination across departments is limited. This is exactly why the Plan of Approach was developed: to help cities connect data, people, and policy: so urban heat adaptation becomes more targeted, inclusive and effective.

Read the full Plan of Approach (PDF)

How to use the plan?

This Plan of Approach is the first step in our Cool Cities strategy. It offers a practical guide to smart, fair urban heat planning: helping our pilot cities to understand local heat risks and vulnerable groups. The plan includes tested tools for mapping risks with local data, co-creating strategies across departments and stakeholders, and prioritising projects based on fairness and impact.

Next steps

The tools and strategies developed by Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences are designed to be adaptable and scalable, supporting not only the eight partner cities but also other urban areas facing similar heat challenges. We will keep this page updated with news, tools, and stories from the cities as the project progresses. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed.