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.