How Cities Are Fighting Extreme Heat

Summers in many of the world's cities are getting hotter, and longer. Dense streets, dark rooftops and a shortage of trees turn neighbourhoods into heat traps that stay warm long after sunset. The good news: cities are learning that heat is partly a design problem — and design problems have solutions. From reflective roofs to street trees and early-warning systems, a growing toolkit is helping people stay safer on the hottest days. In this piece we look at why cities run hot, what is already…