BeBrit - Extreme Heat Risk Project
Extreme heat and drought pose a growing climate threat, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense. The summer of 2022 saw unprecedented heat in regions unprepared for it—a stark reminder that we must accelerate our adaptation efforts. Urban areas are especially vulnerable due to the Urban Heat Island Effect, with heatwaves impacting health, infrastructure, nature, and economies, while age, gender, and socio-economic factors increase vulnerability for many. While many national and city governments have heat-health systems in place, their effectiveness remains under-researched. The BeBrit project, led by Dr Andrea Armstrong and funded by the Brussels Centre for Urban Studies, explores decision-making responses, comparing cases from Belgium and the UK, and fostering collaboration to tackle these escalating risks.
The BeBrit project focuses on three key aims:
- Learning: Gaining insights from case studies in Belgium, the UK, and other European and international examples of heatwave responses.
- Comparisons: Evaluating and contrasting how Belgium and the UK address extreme heat risks.
- Exchange: Facilitating co-created, collaborative events to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices among experts and communities.
