Heat stress
Integrated approach to heat stress: anchoring in spatial plans and design
Heat stress
Climate change means we are increasingly faced with hot summers. Extreme heat will become the norm in the summer months. This means that we need to deal with heat stress in our living environment in a different way. Heat stress can lead to health problems, reduced productivity and less enjoyment of life. At Witteveen+Bos, we are working on smart solutions to make public spaces resistant to structurally higher temperatures.
The reality is that in almost all cases, our buildings and public spaces are still designed for a climate that is now decades behind us. Heat stress is usually not taken into account in spatial plans and therefore not in designs either. The current conventional way of working is an important factor in this, but it is certainly also due to the lack of legal requirements to date.
The complete picture from start to finish
A proactive, results-oriented and practical approach is needed to tackle heat issues. Firstly, the relationship between the area and the building is essential. In addition, heat stress must be considered at every stage. Witteveen+Bos now has extensive practical experience with this approach, both for private clients and (semi) government institutions.
Our starting points:
- coherence between building and area;
- specific requirements for each design phase in a programme of requirements (PvE);
- practical and data-driven design;
- testing for integration into the design;
- creativity in financing (private/public).
National benchmark
Important principles for embedding heat stress reduction in the process include the “National Benchmark for a Green Climate-Adaptive Built Environment” and the various regional covenants for climate-adaptive construction.
We also advocate data-driven design using our own heat model, which we use to assess whether spatial plans comply with climate-adaptive design.
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Both in our living and working environments, heat is a growing problem. The Heat Stress Map displays the physiological equivalent temperature (PET), or ‘perceived temperature’.
Heat Stress Map
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Witteveen+Bos developed the perceived temperature map together with Wageningen University & Research and Climate Adaptation Services.
The national perceived temperature heat map
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When the temperature rises in the city, where can you find a place to stay cool? Witteveen+Bos developed the Koeleplekkenchecker in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam.
The Koeleplekkenchecker
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With climate change and urbanisation, heat stress is becoming more common. Find out what we can do about it and how digital models can help.
Heat stress: a growing problem in cities
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Heat stress and premature death are consequences of heatwaves. A temperature map helps identify hotspots on a hot summer’s day.
National temperature map shows how hot it ‘feels’ on summer’s day
More information
