Climate change is no longer a future scenario. It is already visible, tangible, and measurable. Mediterranean cities — historically accustomed to warm climates — are now facing increasing urban heat: more frequent heatwaves, sudden storms, drought periods, and daily challenges in public spaces. In this context, two key concepts are shaping contemporary urban design: thermal comfort and climate adaptation.
Thermal comfort: more than just temperature
Thermal comfort means acknowledging that well-being in the city is not only about the number of degrees. Two places with the same recorded temperature can feel completely different. A shaded, ventilated street can be pleasant, while a sun-exposed sidewalk surrounded by concrete can become unbearable.
The perception of heat also depends on shade, air circulation, humidity levels, and the temperature of surrounding surfaces. Designing with these elements in mind allows us to improve the livability of urban spaces during the hottest hours of the day.
From data to perception: testing to improve
In 2024, the five pilot cities of the Cool Noons project — Marseille, Imola, Lisbon, Budva, and Dubrovnik — launched the testing phase of the “Cool Paths”: urban routes designed to offer shade, safety, and environmental quality.
The testing involved both objective data collection (thermal cameras, satellite imagery, weather data) and surveys addressed to residents and visitors. The goal? To assess whether these interventions genuinely improve comfort perception and the experience of moving through the city.
Adapting to live better
Thermal comfort is also a practical tool for climate adaptation. It means designing public spaces that are more welcoming, resilient, and able to respond to the already ongoing effects of climate change.
In Cool Noons, this translates into actions such as creating shaded paths, installing water points, placing signage to guide people to cooler areas, integrating urban furniture, and enhancing natural ventilation corridors.
Climate adaptation is not an emergency plan. It’s a design strategy. It means transforming cities to protect the health, well-being, and quality of life of the people who live there — every day.
