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Project

Implementation of a forecAsting System for urban heaT Island effect for the development of urban adaptation strategies (LIFE ASTI)

Description:

The LIFE ASTI project aimed to design, implement, pilot and validate a set of urban heat island (UHI) forecasting systems for cities in Greece and Italy, and to establish dissemination tools to enable open access to UHI-related information. The overall aim was to examine the UHI effect and its impact on human health. 

A network of weather stations was set up to monitor UHI intensity – i.e. the difference in temperature between the city centre's urban environment and its rural surrounding. The project team also developed a high-resolution forecasting model and heat health warning systems to improve heat adaptation and the public health response to heat waves. The model provides three-day forecasts of UHI intensity, apparent temperature, the universal climate index and the discomfort index. A web and mobile application provide easy access to the forecasting system information, including the short-term forecast (current day + 3 days) for five cities, including Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Pavlos Melas in Greece, and in Rome and Civitavecchia in Italy.

The project team also built a network of key climate adaptation stakeholders and held various roundtables, training sessions and working groups, bringing together local authorities and policymakers. 

The results from ASTI help policymakers design better urban climate adaptation plans to protect human health and the environment. Also, the project's tools support local authorities in planning their urban adaptation plans in an ever-changing climate. 

The approach can be followed by other European urban areas wanting to cope with the UHI effect. LIFE ASTI supports the EU Adaptation Strategy

Project information

Lead

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Partners

Geospatial Enabling Technologies Ltd., Greece

Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council of Italy, Italy

Municipality of Thessaloniki, Greece

Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 1, Italy

Sympraxis Team P.C., Greece

Source of funding

LIFE programme

Published in Climate-ADAPT Jul 17 2020   -   Last Modified in Climate-ADAPT Dec 12 2023

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