Green infrastructure to mitigate urban heat island 

Urban areas across the globe are increasingly vulnerable to the intensifying effects of climate change,particularly the phenomenon of the Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). Caused by factors such as the loss of vegetation, high concentrations of impermeable surfaces, and dense built environments, UHIs can lead to significant temperature differences within the same city. These higher temperatures pose serious risks to public health, strain infrastructure, reduce quality of life, and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations including children, seniors, and low-income communities.

This Best Practice article presents inspiring examples from three diverse cities Hamburg (Germany), Montreal (Canada), and Tempe (USA) that have taken leadership roles in embedding nature-based thinking into their urban strategies. Whether it’s Hamburg’s green roof incentives and regulations, Montreal’s grassroots-led greening of underserved neighborhoods, or Tempe’s investment in urban forestry in a desert climate, each case demonstrates how science, policy, incentives, and local action can come together to deliver impactful solutions.

Learn more about the innovative approaches driving these changes and the lessons cities can take away for their own climate adaptation strategies.

👉 Read the full Best Practice here: