With summer temperatures rising and heat waves becoming more frequent, the urban environment is becoming increasingly hot, threatening the quality of life and health of urban dwellers. Densely built-up areas are becoming noticeably hotter than outlying, less built-up areas with vegetation and parks. The material and colour of pavements, air movement and, above all, evaporation play a role in preventing urban heat islands. Researchers from REKK's Water Economy Unit have investigated the amount of water needed for proposed interventions to reduce the harmful effects urban heat islands. Do we have the right amount of water? Is the current infrastructure adequate to provide the water needed for evaporation? What are the energy issues involved in mitigating heat islands?

The aim of the workshop was to provide a forum for an exchange of views on this complex issue between researchers working on different aspects of heat islands, representatives of NGOs and professional organisations, energy companies, regulators, water utilities and local decision-makers.

Please read the English summary below. Presentations are available in Hungarian here.