Combating urban heat: Systematic review of urban resilience and adaptation strategies

Abstract

Urban areas are currently facing the increasingly pressing issue of urban heat worldwide, which is being worsened by climate change and rising urbanization. As a result, there is a growing need for new approaches to enhance urban resilience and adapt to these challenges. The escalating occurrence and severity of urban heat events provide notable hazards, particularly to susceptible groups, necessitating proactive efforts to alleviate detrimental consequences. Therefore, this research addresses the inquiry, “What strategic approaches can be effectively employed to mitigate vulnerability and strengthen urban resilience in response to urban heat?” Thus, this study ascertains and examines approaches to enhance urban resilience, mitigate susceptibility, and implement adaptation strategies to combat urban heat. Utilizing the content analysis method, a comprehensive assortment of documents encompassing academic publications, policy documents, and reports was subjected to a systematic analysis employing the MAXQDA software. Databases searched included Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and a total of 72 studies were included in the final analysis. The research reveals a wide range of novel ideas and practical measures that can be implemented to improve urban resilience and mitigate vulnerability to urban heat. Urban greening strategies, heatwave early warning sys-tems, and community involvement projects have exhibited differing effectiveness, application, and adaptation levels in many urban landscapes and socio-economic circumstances. Additionally, this research emphasizes the value of using multidimensional, context-specific strategies to address the unique challenges and needs of diverse urban regions and marginalized communities. Furthermore, structural changes, legislative reforms, and community-based solutions may be necessary to manage complex issues posed by urban heat. Therefore, effectively implementing adaptation strategies is vital to effectively combating challenges caused by urban heat in urban areas.

Keywords

• Climate adaptation
• Heatwave mitigation
• Land use
• Policy innovation
• Urban vulnerability
• Community resilience