Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities - Booklet

Discover the New Booklet: “Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities”

Cities are becoming increasingly hot, with heatwaves turning into a regular part of daily life. Urban surfaces such as streets, buildings, and paved areas absorb heat and release it slowly, causing cities to be warmer than their surroundings. This phenomenon, known as the Urban Heat Island effect, impacts people’s health, comfort, and overall wellbeing.

A new digital booklet is now available for anyone interested in making cities cooler and healthier. Titled “Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities,” it shares the results and lessons of the Be Ready project, which tackles urban heat islands—areas in cities that can be several degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas.

What makes the booklet special is its focus on practical, easy-to-apply solutions. Instead of large-scale urban redesigns, it highlights “urban acupuncture”—small, targeted actions that have a big impact. The booklet shows how cities can use:

Green acupuncture – planting trees and greenery to lower temperatures
White acupuncture – using reflective materials to keep surfaces cool
Blue acupuncture – smart ways to use water to reduce heat

The booklet is full of real stories, step-by-step tips, and examples that other cities can replicate. It’s designed to be both inspirational and practical, helping urban planners, community leaders, and policymakers bring heat-resilient solutions to life.

It also links these measures to major European policies, like the European Green Deal and the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, showing how small interventions can support broader climate goals.

Available in English and free to access, this booklet is a go-to guide for anyone looking to create cooler, greener, and more resilient cities.

Discover insights, inspiration, and more—explore the booklet here or find it in our library section. Top of Form