Chisinau Hosts a Local Climate Sandbox Workshop for Pilot Planning

On May 29, Chisinau City Hall hosted a Local Climate Sandbox Workshop as part of the Be Ready project, which focuses on enhancing urban resilience to extreme heat. The workshop served as a platform for developing the city’s pilot implementation plan, aligning local needs with the broader objectives of urban heat island (UHI) mitigation and climate preparedness. Organized by the General Directorate of Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations, the event brought together experts, decision-makers, private sector stakeholders, and community members to collaboratively shape the technical and operational roadmap for implementing the upcoming localized heat-reduction measures.

Participants were presented with the results of Chisinau’s recent UHI risk and vulnerability assessment, which provided a data-driven foundation for discussing mitigation options. Central to the discussion was the proposed “white measure” pilot—an intervention involving the application of reflective materials or specialized coatings to urban surfaces, as well as the development of green infrastructure. These measures aim to reduce ambient temperatures in vulnerable urban zones and improve overall thermal comfort for residents.

The pilot will be implemented on the premises of an educational institution, in partnership with the General Directorate of Education, Youth and Sports. The site will serve as a model for a climate-resilient, multifunctional public space where residents, including vulnerable groups such as preschool children, can safely gather, rest, and socialize.