TURNING URBAN HEAT EXPERIENCES INTO ACTIONS

On February 25, 2026, the Sofia Action Plan to Tackle Urban Heat Islands was officially presented, discussed, and endorsed during a special meeting at SofiaLab.

Developed by the SDA project team with the support of BISI and Sofia Municipality in the framework of Be Ready project, the draft followed the Interreg Danube Region Programme guidelines. It was peer-reviewed by Association Technopol of Galati, Romania, and further refined based on expert feedback.

The meeting brought together members of the local coalition established at the start of the project, alongside the Bulgarian Climate Ambassadors from the European Climate Pact, strengthening the link to the European Green Deal and supporting the wider dissemination of the Be Ready experience.

With strong interest and active participation, stakeholders co-designed and refined actions under the three specific objectives, including timelines and resources. The Action Plan received broad endorsement and marks an important step forward in Sofia’s commitment to climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.

POLICY WEBINAR “CITY PREPAREDNESS AND CAPACITY TO TACKLE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT” TO TAKE PLACE ON 10 MARCH 2026

On 10 March 2026 at 09:30 CET, an international webinar titled “City Preparedness and Capacity to Tackle Urban Heat Island” will be held, organised by the Be Ready project under the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the European Union.

The event will bring together projects and initiatives working in the fields of climate change adaptation, urban resilience, public health, spatial planning, and environmental policy to develop concrete recommendations for better understanding, preventing, and mitigating the Urban Heat Island effect.

The webinar will convene stakeholders from across the Danube Region and beyond to collaboratively formulate solutions at local, national, regional (Danube Region), and EU levels. Discussions will build on project pilot activities, practical experience, and key EU strategic frameworks such as the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change and the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change.

The main objectives of the webinar are:

• To identify policy gaps and implementation barriers;
• To align project results with real needs;
• To co-create practical, evidence-based, and actionable recommendations.

The organisers emphasise that the expertise and experience of participants are essential for developing coordinated, science-based, and effective responses to the growing challenges related to urban heat.

Participation in the webinar requires prior registration: https://forms.gle/wzVk4wC3FTS2NTuRA

The Be Ready project aims to support cities and regions in developing effective strategies to enhance climate resilience and address the Urban Heat Island effect. 

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.

COOLING CITIES: SMALL IDEAS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Cities face growing pressure to respond to extreme heat, but choosing the right solutions is not always straightforward. Urban environments are complex, and measures that work well in one location may not perform the same way in another. This makes testing and validation a crucial first step before investing in long-term interventions.

That is why the Be Ready project focused not on quick fixes, but on testing and validating solutions before scaling them up.

A Test-First Approach to Urban Cooling

Rather than making large, expensive changes right away, Be Ready followed a simple idea: test small interventions, measure their impact, and learn from real results. This approach allowed cities to understand what works best in their own local conditions.

The project tested urban acupuncture measures—small, targeted actions placed in the hottest areas of the city. These included:
• Green solutions, such as trees and plants, to provide shade and natural cooling
• Blue solutions, using water to cool the surrounding air
• White solutions, including light or reflective surfaces that reduce heat absorption

Each measure was tested alone or in combination, depending on the characteristics and needs of the site.

Why Validation Is Essential?

The pilot was carried out in ten partner cities, each with different climates, urban forms, and user needs. Testing on a small scale made it possible to:
• Verify whether the solutions actually reduced temperatures
• Compare different types of measures and combinations
• Improve designs based on real performance, not assumptions
• Identify limitations or risks before making larger investments
• Collect feedback from residents and city stakeholders who used the spaces

This validation process helped cities avoid costly mistakes and ensured that decisions were based on evidence.

What Did We Learn?

The pilot showed that small, well-placed actions can make a real difference. Using temperature data, observations, and feedback from users and city stakeholders, the project gathered clear evidence about what works and what can be improved.

Key Recommendations

Building on the results of the pilot phase, the Be Ready project highlights several key recommendations for future action.
• Align cooling pilots with local and national climate strategies.
• Use shared indicators (temperature, humidity, biodiversity, user satisfaction).
• Replicate validated urban acupuncture measures in similar hot spots.
• Increase visibility through clear communication and digital storytelling.
• Engage communities and schools for long-term care.
• Combine cooling measures with public art to boost public support.

Looking Ahead

By testing first and scaling up later, cities can make smarter choices. The Be Ready pilot helps cities move forward with confidence—creating cooler, healthier, and more comfortable urban spaces for everyone.

Read the full document “Pilot Actions for UHI Mitigation Acupuncture Measures. Tested and Validated” HERE.

This conference is supported as part of Be Ready, an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.

A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK TO HELP CITIES BEAT THE HEAT

Hot summers are becoming the new normal. Streets that once offered relief now store heat, nights stay uncomfortably warm, and heatwaves increasingly affect our health, daily routines, and public spaces. Cities are warming faster than their surroundings, creating so-called Urban Heat Islands—and this is a challenge that touches everyone.

The Be Ready Strategic Framework is about turning this problem into an opportunity. It helps cities plan smarter, long-term ways to stay cool and livable as the climate changes. Instead of quick fixes, it looks ahead—showing how cities can reduce heat risks while making neighborhoods healthier, greener, and more enjoyable.

At the heart of the framework are simple but helpful ideas: more trees and green spaces, cooler building materials, shaded streets, and public places designed for people, not just traffic. These nature-based and climate-sensitive solutions don’t just lower temperatures—they improve air quality, support wellbeing, and make cities nicer places to live.

Importantly, the framework provides common recommendations for the entire Danube Region, creating a shared foundation for action and cooperation. It serves as a Danube-wide UHI resilience plan, promoting nature-based solutions, climate-sensitive urban design, and resilient public spaces that deliver environmental, social, and health benefits.

Designed as a flexible and transferable tool, the Be Ready Strategic Framework helps local and regional authorities turn EU climate objectives into concrete action, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and build cooler, healthier, and more resilient cities for the future.

Being “Be Ready” means preparing cities not just to survive hotter summers—but to thrive in them, creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient places for everyone.

Read the full document HERE!

This conference is supported as part of Be Ready, an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.

BUILDING HEAT-RESILIENT CITIES: THE BE READY VIRTUAL PILOT-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM

Cities are heating up, and heatwaves are becoming more common. Concrete, asphalt, and buildings trap the sun’s heat, making urban areas warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This “Urban Heat Island” effect can impact our comfort, health, and daily life.

The Be Ready Virtual Pilot-based Training Program is a free, online course created to help people understand this challenge and learn how cities can respond to it. Developed by universities and experts working with European cities, the course turns real-life experience into practical learning that anyone can follow.

The training includes three short online modules. Together, they explain what Urban Heat Islands are, how cities can identify areas most affected by heat, why involving local communities matters, and how small, targeted actions—such as adding greenery or improving public spaces—can help cool cities.

The course is online, free of charge, and self-paced, so learners can join anytime and study at their own speed. It is available on the Canvas learning platform in English and 11 other languages, and no specialist knowledge is needed.

The Be Ready Virtual Pilot-based Training Program is open to everyone interested in climate-friendly cities—from local authority staff and urban planners to students, researchers, and citizens. It offers a simple and practical way to learn how cities can become cooler, healthier, and better prepared for hotter summers.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.