Technology serving history
In the heart of the stunning Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Adriatic Sea, the Cool Noons project has encountered both a challenge and a great opportunity: to improve thermal comfort without altering the city’s historic structure, carved into rock and strictly protected. The solution focused on digital and participatory strategies that blend innovation with respect for heritage. The starting point was the Maritime Museum, one of the city’s naturally cooler buildings. Around this symbolic site, the first “cool path” was developed, accompanied by a multimedia guide with augmented reality. The route, which connects historic fountains, green areas and shaded spots, was tested in summer 2024 and will serve as the prototype for seven new itineraries to be offered to residents and visitors in 2025—also accessible through a geolocated web platform.
Participation and local knowledge
From October to December 2024, Dubrovnik involved tourist guides, institutions, citizens, and sector professionals in a series of focus groups. Particularly valuable was the input of local guides, who know every shady corner of the old town and suggested alternative paths to the most crowded and sun-exposed areas. These collaborative sessions led to the definition of seven sustainable routes that preserve the city’s identity while improving visitors’ thermal comfort—leveraging existing natural elements and non-invasive digital tools.
A Mediterranean model
The outcome? A more sustainable form of tourism that enhances less-visited areas and offers a more conscious and comfortable experience. Dubrovnik shows how Mediterranean cities can adapt to climate change without compromising their heritage, by investing in technology, participation, and local assets.
Cool Noons continues its journey—follow us for updates on how tradition and innovation can work together for a cooler, more livable future.
