PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
This project focuses on combined actions aimed at reducing the overall air temperature during heat wave events, whilst improving the conditions for users of public spaces and providing medium-term benefits in overall quality of life. The proposed works cover four dimensions (4D): the sky level (COOL SKY); the building level (COOL BUILDINGS); the ground level (COOL SOIL); and the level of user dynamics (COOL LIVING). The combination of 4D actions covers a total area of 5.8 ha over 0.5 km, and is expected to reduce overall air temperatures by up to 3°C after the project implementation. The main details of these 4D actions are:
COOL SKY: this action aims to reduce the air temperature in public spaces through the installation of tensile shading structures and the creation of a geothermal open-air passive cooling prototype.
COOL BUILDINGS: this action entails the installation of green roofs, green facades and cool coating. Moreover, together with the local business association, it promotes the implementation of best practice solutions to adapt small businesses to heat waves (e.g. the application of solar window film) through the allocation of small grants.
COOL SOIL: this action proposes more green areas and more trees, the creation of a cooling retention basin and the implementation of a cool pavement on road surfaces.
COOL LIVING: this action will install inclusive drinking fountains, water-mist systems and the COOLIFE App for sharing the real-time heat index, as well as giving health advice and assign climate shelters during heatwaves, etc.
The municipality of Almada is located on the south bank of the Tagus River and is one of 18 municipalities comprising the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. It has approximately 177,000 residents living in 70 km2, representing a population density of about 2,500 inhabitants/km2. The municipality includes urban and some natural/rural protected areas of high environmental importance typical of the Mediterranean climate.
In the framework of the Climate Change Adaptation Metropolitan Plan, current trends and future climate scenarios were assessed from 2018 to 2022. The results reveal consistent increases in air temperature in the period 1971-2016, evident in both maximum temperatures and the frequency of heatwaves.
The NACLIM project, which took place from 11/2012 to 01/2017, produced thematic information which contributed to the study of the impact of the predicted climate on human exposure to heat stress in three European cities: Almada (PT), Antwerp (BE) and Berlin (DE), taking in consideration demography and land uses. The results showed that Almada is one of the cities most exposed to heatwaves. In addition, the University of Lisbon’s Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (Ce3C) has carried out a study to evaluate the microclimatic conditions of two squares which fall within the scope of the present project.
Taking all this knowledge into account, the project’s intervention area is located in the urban core of Almada municipality (where land use is 100% urban) and comprises four squares, interconnected by three streets with a high degree of soil sealing and a low share of green areas.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective is to increase the adaptation capacity to endure heat waves by implementing best practices and innovative solutions to deliver an overall reduction in air temperatures of up to 3°C in key urban public areas.
The specific objectives of the project are:
· To transform a demonstration area in the urban core of Almada into an area more resilient and adapted to climate change, particularly to heatwaves, through flexible and multifunctional solutions, converting grey areas into green infrastructure and combined with the use of geothermal energy and water for cooling. With this project, the beneficiaries expect to reduce the air temperature by up to 3°C with COOL SKY, COOL BUILDINGS, COOL SOIL and COOL LIVING actions.
· To minimise the effect of heat stress on the health and well-being of inhabitants, through microclimatic regulation and environmental services provided by enlarging the urban green corridor (COOL SOIL) to cover 5.8 ha.
· Act at building level (COOL BUILDINGS) by implementing 2,442 m2 of green facades, green roofs and cool coating to reduce surface temperatures and consequently to avoid radiating heat back into the air.
· To protect citizens during heatwaves by creating a climate shelter at Romeu Correia municipal forum, and through the COOLIFE App, sharing the real-time heat index as well as health recommendations (COOL LIVING).
· At the same time, to promote social cohesion by implementing more spaces adapted to extreme weather events for populations with lower economic resources, which often live in housing less well prepared for heatwaves, in order to ensure that climate change adaptation is more just and equitable (COOL LIVING).
· Overall, to test a range of cost-effective solutions, from best practice to innovation, with high replication potential and which can be replicated post-project using other financial mechanisms.
RESULTS
· Creation of an urban green corridor encompassing 1,000 new trees over 5.8 ha along a 0.5 km corridor, connecting two existing urban parks and inducing a flow of air cooled by the trees. The increase in the green area will be done using nature-based solutions such as creating high-density vegetated areas (4,300 m2), vegetated swales along pavements (280 m2) and a green cooling retention basin (1,150 m2).
· Implementation of a geothermal open-air passive cooling prototype, based on a passive technique which uses the energy present underground to cool the air above during the summer.
· Installation of tensile shading structures to reinforce the air temperature reduction in combination with water misting systems.
· Installation of green facades (vertical area of 117 m2), green roofs (2,000 m2) and cool coating (325 m2).
· Creation of a climate shelter at Romeu Correia municipal forum
· Creation of a COOLIFE app to provide an added-value vehicle for data consultation and delivery, allowing users to register and receive tailor-made warning messages based on the individuals’ preferences (e.g. thresholds, site selection), linked to official civil protection and health service recommendations.
· Installation of weather station and microclimatic sensors to update the baseline and assess outputs of the various adaptation solutions and methods.
