Hévíz Municipality Hosts Workshop on Urban Heat Islands and Climate Change

On November 6, 2024, Hévíz Municipality held a local workshop as part of the Be Ready Project (UrBan hEat islands REsilience, prepAreDness, and mitigation strategY), drawing the participation of 18 engaged stakeholders. The event focused on the pressing issue of urban heat islands (UHI) and climate change, exploring their local impacts and discussing mitigation strategies.

The workshop brought together experts and representatives from various public institutions, scientific organizations, civil society groups, and businesses. Key participants included Hévíz City Municipality, Hévíz Entrepreneurs' Association, Liget Hévíz Ltd., and Hévíz Room Publishers' Association. Their presence underscored the importance of collective action in tackling the UHI phenomenon and improving urban resilience.

The session began with an introduction to the Be Ready Project by Bernhard Puchner from BOKU University, who provided expert insights into the vulnerability and risk assessment methodology designed within the project framework. He also introduced self-assessment tools that help municipalities and stakeholders identify high-risk areas affected by UHIs and develop targeted mitigation measures.

Following the presentation, an interactive discussion allowed stakeholders to exchange ideas and concerns regarding local heat island effects. The open dialogue fostered valuable insights and set the stage for future collaboration.

One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the presentation of a Local Coalition Pact, a commitment document encouraging stakeholders to actively participate in long-term UHI mitigation initiatives. By the end of the event, 10 participants signed the pact, demonstrating their dedication to working towards a cooler and more sustainable urban environment in Hévíz.