All over Europe you find more and more concepts where citizens and authorities cooperate to speed up climate adaptation to heatwaves and floodings. Many come from Mediterranian countries where solutions to combat the exposition to heat have a long tradition.

Table of Contents

Ideas for Citizen-Authority Cooperation

Urban Areas

Citizen science monitoring: Equip residents with sensors to map heat islands, indoor temperatures, and flood risks (e.g., I-CHANGE).
Co-design workshops: Organize thermal walks, heat perception surveys, and participatory mapping to identify vulnerable areas and solutions (e.g., CALOR, Cròniques de la Calor).
Depaving and unsealing campaigns: Run competitions for citizens to replace concrete with green spaces, supported by municipal services like “tile taxis” (Tegelwippen, Netherlands).
Climate shelters: Repurpose public buildings as cooling centers, with citizen input on location and accessibility (Spain, France).
Heat-health action plans: Develop early warning systems, vulnerability maps, and emergency protocols with input from health workers, NGOs, and residents (Ready4Heat).
Participatory budgeting: Allocate funds for greening, shading, and cooling infrastructure based on community proposals (Marseille).

Rural Areas

Rural–urban knowledge exchange: Connect farmers, foresters, and rural communities with urban planners to share traditional adaptation practices (Adaptation AGORA).
Community-led water management: Co-create nature-based solutions for drought and heat resilience (e.g., natural water retention measures).
Vulnerability mapping: Collaborate with local stakeholders to identify heat-exposed populations and critical infrastructure.

Successful Transformation Concepts

I-CHANGE Project

EU-wide citizen science initiative where residents use sensors (MeteoTracker, air quality kits) to monitor heatwaves, floods, and air pollution. The Amsterdam Living Lab collected 500+ indoor temperature observations during a heatwave to improve forecasts. Eight Living Labs across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa co-design solutions with scientists and policymakers.

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CALOR Project (Barcelona)

Citizen science project investigating Barcelona’s urban heat island effect. 80 citizen scientists participated in workshops and exhibitions, using sensors to measure temperature differences. The project built connections between citizens, urban stakeholders, and policymakers to translate findings into actionable, heat-resilient urban changes.

CALOR – Climate Adaptation: Local knOwledge and Resilience

Cròniques de la Calor (Heat Chronicles, Barcelona)

Citizen science initiative mapping extreme heat across five Barcelona neighborhoods. 439 residents co-researched 210 public spaces, combining geo-located temperature data with heat perception surveys. Results informed urban planning and climate adaptation, with workshops held in libraries, schools, and community centers.

https://web.ub.edu/en/web/ciencia-ciutadana/croniques-calor

Ready4Heat (Interreg Central Europe)

Pilot project in Hajdúböszörmény (Hungary), Maribor (Slovenia), Weiz (Austria), and Worms (Germany). Cities developed Heat and Health Action Plans, created heat stress maps, and engaged citizens via kick-off events. Measures include “maps of cool places,” heat hotlines, and nature-based solutions like pergolas in kindergartens.

Protecting citizens from heat

Valencia Climate Shelters

Network of public facilities (libraries, cultural centers) repurposed as cooling refuges during extreme heat. Developed with Covenant of Mayors support, the shelters protect vulnerable groups, reduce thermal discomfort, and offer recreational programs. Ten shelters were operational in 2025, with plans to expand.

https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/news/resilience-and-adaptation-how-valencia-sheltering-citizens-amidst-heat-waves

Marseille Climate Adaptation

Marseille’s strategy includes Cool Noons (shaded lunch spots), participatory budgeting, and the TALEA and RESILIENCE initiatives. The city integrates urban greening, sustainable mobility, and citizen-driven projects to combat heat islands and tropical nights (>20°C). A 2022 diagnostic prioritized adaptation actions for the historic center.

https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/%20Refreshing-Marseille-with-cooler-greener-and-accessible-public-spaces

Netherlands Citizens Unsealing Contest

“Tegelwippen” competition where municipalities compete to remove the most paving tiles from gardens and replace them with greenery. Citizens submit photos of transformed spaces; municipalities provide “tile taxis” to collect removed tiles. Since 2020, over 14 million tiles (1,175,825 m²) have been replaced, reducing heat stress and flooding.

Voorpagina

Adaptation AGORA (Aragón, Spain)

Pilot project addressing rural–urban adaptation in Aragón. Zaragoza (urban) and Matarrañas (rural) co-create solutions for heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. The project emphasizes rural–urban connectivity, citizen engagement, and transformational change, with a focus on vulnerable groups and natural resource protection.

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Cornellà de Llobregat Climate Itineraries

Part of the Covenant of Mayors’ pilot program, the municipality co-designed pathways to ensure access to vital community spaces during extreme heat. The project combines climate adaptation with energy poverty measures, prioritizing equitable access to cool, green spaces.

https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/news/rebuilding-communities-times-heat-refreshing-our-cities-combat-inequality

Barcelona Climate Shelters Network

Network of 11 climate shelters in schools and public buildings, providing refuge during heatwaves. The city engages citizens in identifying and improving shelters, with a focus on vulnerable populations. The model has inspired other Spanish cities (Bilbao, Murcia) to adopt similar networks.

https://www.barcelona.cat/barcelona-pel-clima/en/climate-shelters-schools

Key Takeaways for Authorities

Co-creation works: Citizen science and participatory design generate actionable data and build trust.
Small-scale, high-impact: Depaving, cooling centers, and heat mapping deliver quick wins.
Rural–urban synergy: Knowledge exchange between rural and urban areas strengthens resilience.
Vulnerability focus: Prioritize engagement with elderly, low-income, and health-compromised groups.
Scalable models: Many projects (e.g., tile whipping, climate shelters) are replicable across Europe.

Fascinating Videos on Youtube

Since people learn differently, please find a first videos on how ancient cultures werde dealing with heat waves and other environmental challenges

https://youtu.be/P7mypy7fNJg