On our social media channels — Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn — we’ve launched a new series of posts designed to clarify something both simple and essential: the language we use to talk about the Cool Noons project.
A vocabulary often made up of technical terms, not always familiar in everyday conversation, but crucial today to understand how cities are responding to the effects of climate change and rethinking their future.
Expressions like urban heat islands, wind corridors, and thermal comfort are increasingly appearing in public debates and urban planning documents. With this series, we aim to make these concepts accessible — not by oversimplifying, but by explaining them with clarity and precision.
Because understanding the words is the first step to understanding the decisions cities are making.
We began this journey by exploring two key concepts: urban heat islands and wind corridors.
Urban Heat Islands
These are urban areas where the temperature is significantly higher than in surrounding zones.
Concrete and asphalt absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. The lack of vegetation worsens the situation, turning entire neighborhoods into overheated zones — even after sunset.
Heat islands compromise public health and well-being, especially for vulnerable groups, and reduce overall urban livability.
Wind Corridors
These are boulevards, open squares, and urban axes that promote natural air circulation.
Designing or enhancing them allows cooler air to flow between buildings, lowers perceived temperatures, and makes walking or cycling safer and more comfortable.
In the routes identified by Cool Noons, wind corridors are essential allies in the fight against urban overheating, especially in densely built neighborhoods.
Why talk about this?
Because words don’t just describe problems — they point to solutions.
Explaining these concepts clearly helps citizens, city officials, and visitors better understand the impact of climate change and engage more consciously with urban adaptation strategies.
In upcoming articles, we’ll explore additional key concepts — all of which are taking shape through the Cool Noons pilot paths in Marseille, Imola, Dubrovnik, Budva, and Lisbon.
Follow us on social media to stay updated on the next entries in the series.
