HeatSafe: Mitigating vulnerabilities to heatwaves in Malmö

Heatwaves are the deadliest type of extreme weather event in Sweden. Despite calls in the EU and Swedish adaptation strategies, heat-related social vulnerability is just about being considered in the practical work of local governments and municipal administrations.

Responding to the urge to improve heat risk management, HeatSafe further develops and validates a Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) and integrates collaborative approaches to improve municipal planning for adaptation to heatwaves in Malmö and beyond.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Update the SoVI with indoor temperature data and other indicators for increased accuracy.
2. Improve knowledge on how increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves affect vulnerable groups by monitoring their use of public outdoor spaces.
3. Facilitate collaboration across municipal departments and property owners by embedding tools and approaches into the municipal administration.
4. Strengthen international, national, regional and local capacities and engagement around heat-related social vulnerability.

By identifying who endures exposure to extreme temperatures, where, and when, HeatSafe supports the city administration as well as property owners when prioritizing adaptation measures and when designing outdoor environment and activities. Key stakeholders and citizen groups will be engaged in a knowledge co-production process to foster innovative ways for collaboration, mutual learning and joint solutions.

The project is led by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and implemented in partnership with the City of Malmö, and the Centre for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR) at Linköping University (LiU). Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) contributes through the ongoing research project IMAGINE Adaptation which engages SEI and City of Malmö.