Climate-resilient Lucerne

Thematic complex heat - a pilot project within the framework of the second pilot programme on adaptation to climate change

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Lucerne, Switzerland

2018 - 2021

Clients

Municipalities of Horw, Kriens, Ebikon and Emmen in the Canton of Lucerne; the Office for Spatial Development Canton of Lucerne and the Federal Office for the Environment.

Beneficiaries

Municipalities

Key Partners

Municipalities of Horw, Kriens, Ebikon and Emmen in Canton Lucerne.

Periods of hot weather will probably occur more frequently in the future. Densely populated areas such as cities and agglomerations are particularly affected. The temperature is higher during the day and drops less at night than in rural regions due to a lack of air circulation, nighttime radiation, sealed surfaces and waste heat. Many adaptation measures (e.g., management of airflows, maintenance/adaptation of green spaces) also require long-term planning and spatial planning support and cooperation across municipalities, which is often still lacking. The preparation for this is insufficient in many regions.

In the framework of this project, we have developed a qualitative method that assesses the local heat stress of a municipality and simultaneously records the population’s vulnerability. We also developed a catalogue of impacts and corresponding measures for adaptation to/management of heat periods to determine the relevant standards in a participatory process with stakeholders from the city and agglomeration of Lucerne.

We were the project managers for this project, and also we provided the following services:

Co-create and design

We developed a methodology intending to support communities in the process of adapting to climate change – especially in areas exposed to heat. Our methodology analyses where it could get scorching and where the heat could be hazardous for human health. The methodology is qualitative and straightforward but still valuable and understandable.

Reach and connect

We developed a catalogue of measures that helps to select the measures that could be useful in the respective area where the action is needed. There are two ways to minimise the health burden in an area. Either one improves the climatic situation or reduces the vulnerability.