health
From mobile jungles to shadow art: how Dutch people try to beat the heat
A national heatwave plan has been activated to help people stay cool during the Netherlands’ increasingly hot summers
TL;DR
- Amsterdam residents are advised to hang curtains outside their windows to block sunlight and reduce indoor heat.
- The Netherlands has activated a national heatwave plan to assist vulnerable individuals.
- Researchers are experimenting with solutions like fake trees and shadow art to cool pavements and pedestrians.
- Homes in the Netherlands are traditionally built with large windows for warmth, making them susceptible to overheating.
- Keeping the sun out of buildings through exterior shading, such as blinds or canopies, is identified as the most effective way to cool them.
- Urban design strategies, including increasing green spaces, green roofs, and facades, are also crucial for climate adaptation.
- Economic arguments suggest that investing in cooling solutions like trees can mitigate costs associated with heatwave-induced sleep loss and reduced productivity.