Italy gets its first climate shelters A measure to combat these extreme temperatures

Heatwaves of extreme heat affecting numerous European countries have pushed many local administrations to adopt measures to reduce risks related to high temperatures, for example by strengthening assistance for the most vulnerable people. Among the most widespread initiatives is the identification of so-called climate shelters, accessible spaces for everyone where to find relief during these heatwaves. These are places that allow people to spend a few hours in a cooler environment, limiting prolonged exposure to intense heat, which can have significant health consequences.

Climate shelters can take different forms and are part of climate change adaptation strategies carried out by individual cities. This category includes public buildings such as libraries, museums and shopping centers equipped with air conditioning, but also private spaces open to the public. In other cases, green areas such as parks and public gardens are also included. In many urban centers, these places must meet specific safety requirements: it is not enough to offer lower temperatures than outside, but they must also guarantee essential services such as accessible bathrooms, drinking water and minimum conditions of environmental comfort.

The strategies against the city heat

The idea behind climate shelters is not to build new dedicated infrastructure, but to enhance already existing places within the urban fabric. The goal is to make it easier for everyone to identify cool spaces during heatwaves, leveraging existing public infrastructure. This approach allows administrations to intervene quickly in managing emergencies due to extreme heat, reducing implementation times and costs.

Climate shelters are particularly important in the context of preventive public health, because they help protect the most vulnerable segments of the population. These include children, elderly people, people with chronic conditions and individuals with greater sensitivity to high temperatures. Even those living in economically disadvantaged conditions or without air conditioning in their homes can benefit from these spaces. The same applies to homeless people, who during heatwaves often find themselves in an even more severe condition of vulnerability.

Climate shelters in Italy

In recent years several major cities, including New York, have developed structured networks of urban climate shelters. One of the most successful cases is Barcelona, which launched this project in 2020 and now has over 500 officially recognized spaces – moreover, over 90% of the population can reach one of these places within about ten minutes on foot.

In Italy, the topic of climate shelters has entered urban policies in many cities only in the last year. In Bologna 24 climate shelters have been identified, including public libraries, city parks and neighborhood centers. In Florence the mapped areas are 53, while in Naples a local association has identified at least 28 spaces usable as climate shelters. In Milan a network of over 100 «cool spaces» has been created, including urban green areas and libraries. In Turin, a city characterized by a strong presence of public parks, a list of 19 air-conditioned centers has been defined, equipped with air conditioners and fans, open throughout the summer season and freely accessible.