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LIFE ASTI platform

The beta version of the LIFE ASTI platform has been recently launched and it is currently available at: lifeasti.getmap.gr

The LIFE ASTI project focuses on the Urban Heat Island effect and human health by using a system of numerical models that lead to the short-term forecast and future projection of the UHI phenomenon in three Mediterranean cities: Thessaloniki, Rome and Heraklion. The LIFE ASTI model system produces high-quality forecasting products, such as bioclimatic indicators and heating and cooling degree days to assess the energy needs of buildings.

Users can use the web application to access forecast data for the three pilot regions and see maps and graphs related to the urban heat island.

Upcoming Local Conferences & Working tables in Thessaloniki & Rome

The first LIFE ASTI Local Conference and working table will take place in Thessaloniki on 7 October, with the second to follow soon after in Rome. With the participation of the public, stakeholders and local media discussing the results and insights from the first year of the project, the conferences will raise awareness on the UHI, health problems related to heat, and climate risks. During the second half of the day, the workshop will offer interaction among the project, local authorities, and stakeholders.

Heat wave at the city centre?

The combined effect of global climate change and rapid urbanisation is expected to make residents of urban areas more vulnerable to a range of environmental problems linked to the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI). UHI describes the temperature difference between the warmer urban climate and the surrounding non- urbanised areas.

Follow the LIFE ASTI project on facebook and on twitter for more information.

LIFE ASTI project presence

Over the last months the LIFE ASTI project was present at various events related to climate change such as the "LIFE Platform Meeting on Climate Action and the Building Sector" in Brussels, the "Thessaloniki on the World Map of Resilient Cities: Actions – Synergies – Perspectives" event, the "European Workshop LIFE16 Good Local Adapt" in Spain, the workshop “LIFE and CITIES" of the AdaptInGR project in Greece, and in the World Meteorological Day at IIS De Pineto Colonna, Rome.

During the summer, the LIFE ASTI project was present at the Climate Change and Human Health -WACH Workshop on Air Pollution, which took place on July 16-18 at Nanjing University, China, and in the Copernicus European Health Service workshop, Rome.

The urban heat island made the news

Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity, with far-reaching and devastating impacts on people, the environment, and the economy. Urban areas are home to more than half the global population. The recent heat waves have brought the phenomenon of the heat island effect in urban areas to the forefront, as a combination of factors renders many cities several degrees warmer than the surrounding farmland, grasslands, or forests, thus also increasing heat stress.

Read some interesting reports & articles below:

> "ADAPT NOW: A global call for leadership on climate resilience"

> "Cities get hotter during heat waves"

> "Meteorologists Warn of Potentially Devastating European Heatwave"

> "Heat waves"

> "Early Summer Heatwave Grips Europe"

Featured infographic: Urban fabric effect on surface temperatures

The overlayered colors represent the temperature difference between a specific location and the closest rural area of similar altitude, also referred as Urban Heat Island Intensity. As can be seen, the positive difference is highest in dense urban areas. The time set for the calculations is 1:00 am GMT/ 4:00 am Thessaloniki local time, during mid-summer. The high-temperature difference signifies that, due to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, the urban area does not cool down sufficiently during the night, leading to temperature build-up with time.

Source:A.U.TH.

The LIFE ASTI (Implementation of a forecAsting System for urban heaT Island effect for the development of urban adaptation strategies) project focuses on addressing the impact of the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) on human mortality, by developing and evaluating a system of numerical models that will lead to the short-term forecasting and future projection of the UHIE phenomenon in two Mediterranean cities: Thessaloniki and Rome.The project is co-funded by the LIFE 2014-2020 Programme, with a 36-month implementation period.

Project Partners

The LIFE ASTI partnership has established networks at the EU level, including Institutions, Organisations, Municipalities and other local/regional authorities. All partners have been involved in previous and current EU projects and are fully committed to the successful implementation of the Project.

The project "Implementation of a forecAsting System for urban heaT Island effect for the development of urban adaptation strategies – LIFE ASTI" has received funding from the LIFE Programme of the European Union.

The sole responsibility for the content of this newsletter lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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