Rising heatwaves highlight building design’s role; nature and smart planning reduce cooling needs.
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The approaching heatwave, exemplified by record temperatures in Vienna, highlights the growing impact of climate change. Air conditioners contribute to this issue not only through increased CO2 emissions but also by releasing heat into already hot local environments, which has been shown to raise ambient temperatures significantly in cities like Paris and Singapore. While air conditioners function similarly to heat pumps but reverse the process by moving heat from indoors to outdoors, they are noisy, energy-intensive, and exacerbate the urban heat island effect. Experts suggest that while AC is sometimes necessary due to extreme heat, the focus must shift towards reducing cooling demand through better design. Alternatives include managing internal heat sources like people and electronics, optimizing building orientation (south facing), using appropriate window glazing with low solar gain coefficients, and employing external shading devices such as awnings or trees. Future urban planning emphasizes creating cooler microclimates by integrating nature—treating trees as climate infrastructure—and implementing smart city strategies, such as cool roofs and centralized cooling systems, to minimize the need for mechanical cooling altogether. The ultimate goal is to design resilient cities where human comfort is maintained with minimal energy use, even in extreme heat.
