%X Climate change is causing an increase in hot days during summer in Europe. The Netherlands is no exception, and the average summer temperature and frequency of days warmer than 30º Celsius is increasing. People living in Urban Heat Islands (UHI’s) are especially vulnerable for this. UHI’s are urban areas that become warmer than their non-urban surroundings because of objects that retain heat, such as buildings and roads. An especially vulnerable group are older adults, a population group that is increasing in size over the coming decades. Without interventions, the burden of heat morbidity and mortality is expected to increase. A possible solution to this problem might be provided by Urban Green Spaces (UGS). These are green areas within an urban area, like parks and forests. Among other benefits, they provide coolness and create an opportunity to leave the house during periods of heat, which might protect vulnerable citizens from experiencing heat stress. By using semi-structured interviews, eight older adults vulnerable to heat stress in the city of Groningen have been interviewed. This study aims to explore what the protective role of UGS is for this group during periods of heat. It was found that the participants do relatively well during periods of heat. Most enjoy such warm days, although discomfort was mentioned simultaneously. Rather than going outside, most participants tend to stay inside during the hottest part of the day. Indoor temperatures were described as high by most participants, despite using sunshades and ventilators. They do not immediately associate UGS with coolness and expect to be more comfortable staying at home. Some participants do go to private green spaces like a vegetable – or communal garden during periods of heat. Such spaces appear to provide more shadow and privacy which are valued by these participants. To improve the adaptive capacity of older adults vulnerable to heat, it is recommended to further explore how features of private green spaces can be incorporated in public UGS.
%A Nathan van Dam
%T The protective role of Urban Green Spaces during periods of heat for older adults vulnerable to heat stress: a case study in Groningen
%D 2024
%L theses_frw4736