Extreme Heat & Health Risks in Cities

Heat is on the Rise: A Global Health & Equity Challenge
From Athens’ heat action plans, to Vancouver’s community “cool kits,” to early-warning systems in India: Cities across the globe are on the frontline of extreme heat.

Research evidence suggests that air conditioning, while protective, cannot be our only answer. It is costly, energy-intensive, and leaves the most vulnerable behind.
Instead, solutions must be sustainable, multi-layered, and equitable:

• Urban design innovations: cooling corridors, reflective surfaces, shaded transit stops, and expanded tree canopy
• Building-scale measures: green roofs, natural ventilation, and super-cool coatings that cut indoor heat without driving energy demand
• Community preparedness: heat-health action plans, trusted local hubs, culturally appropriate messaging, and emergency cooling access
• Equity at the core: targeting interventions to the hottest, most underserved neighborhoods; engaging residents in planning; and ensuring benefits reach those historically left out

At ICONHIC2026, we are calling for contributions that show how innovation, science, and community-led action can turn extreme heat from a silent killer into a challenge we are prepared to meet.