Cities in Great Britain most vulnerable to extreme heat revealed
OS index examines which ‘urban heat islands’ suffer the most – and which cope the best with rising temperatures
TL;DR
- Portsmouth, Leicester, Exeter, Bristol, and Nottingham are identified as cities most vulnerable to extreme heat by the end of the century.
- Urban heat islands, created by concrete and asphalt, can make cities up to 10C hotter than surrounding areas.
- Vulnerability is linked to limited tree cover, green space, and waterways.
- By 2040, all 71 analyzed cities are projected to reach high heat vulnerability.
- Milton Keynes is noted as one of the cities coping best, ranking 69th out of 71 for heat vulnerability.
- The economic cost of heatwaves, exemplified by London's 2022 heatwaves at £1.5bn, highlights the need for preparedness.
- Data is crucial for planners, developers, and local authorities to prepare for a warmer future.