Increased and longer heat waves, together with higher average temperatures, will have considerable effects on buildings without mechanical cooling such as homes, which can lead to severe risks to health and comfort. An increase in cooling systems as an emergency solution would drastically raise the demand for electricity, with a serious impact on the reliability of the grid, especially during peak hours, and increased CO2 emissions. We are, therefore, in need of ways to tackle the overheating challenge before such a critical point is reached.

The project is part of a larger initiative that aims to address the overheating challenge in a holistic way by combining the fields of architecture, engineering and sociology. This project’s particular goal is to address the broader concerns of public and governmental actors. The main research tasks include:

• Exploration of spatial distribution of overheating occurrence using an existing 2.5D GIS model and thermal climate data from multi-residential buildings
• Development of adaptation strategies based on case-study analysis

The project’s expected outcome is to formulate climate adaptation strategies and guidance for policies relevant to local and national governmental stakeholders who are central in climate adaptation efforts, such as municipalities and agencies specializing in housing, urban planning, energy, or environmental conservation.