Scientists map street-level heat stress in major cities

Researchers are deploying dense sensor networks to understand how heat varies from one street to the next during summer peaks.

The early findings show that neighbourhood design can be as important as city-wide temperature. Tree cover, surface materials, wind corridors, and traffic all shape how heat is experienced by residents.

Urban planners say the data is helping them prioritise interventions where they can have the biggest health impact, especially for older people and outdoor workers.

The challenge is turning short-term measurement into long-term design rules that survive budget cycles and changing political priorities.