Buildings heat up too much, which may put (vulnerable) residents and users at risk

Municipality is heatproof if

• Heat does not cause any danger in and around the institutions mentioned and people know how to act to limit nuisance as much as possible.

Measures

• Make buildings where vulnerable groups are located heat-resistant through shade and water supplies and cooling, such as trees, green facades and sun blinds.
• Ensure that vulnerable residents do not live in heat-vulnerable places in buildings.
• Each institution draws up a Heat Protocol for hot days.

Tips

• The municipality has a facilitating role and conducts an initial study into heat-sensitive target groups, buildings and locations, which shows where heat sensitivity is greatest and the approach is most urgent.
• Plan a dialogue from the Housing working group with the organizations that score high based on the research into heat-sensitive target groups and buildings (heat vulnerability overview) and are therefore urgent.
• Ensure good coordination with internal colleagues (welfare, education, elderly care, energy transition, etc.) who already have contacts with these organizations. A heat plan may already have been drawn up in which the relevant organizations are involved, or a heat & education action program. You can also contact schools and childcare via the GGD (JGZ and childcare inspection).
• Enter into dialogue (continuation of step 1) for both the short term (next summer based on heat plan and behavior) and the long term (how to reduce heat in buildings and area). The following agenda items can help with the dialogue:
  • Explain the process and results of the heat vulnerability overview.
  • Test and score the urgency of the vulnerabilities with the parties.
  • Discuss possible solutions. Use the guide 'Heat in existing homes' (in Dutch), for this, and see also the process steps under 7. Living comfort in buildings decreases due to heat. There are several resources for schools for green schoolyards (in Dutch).
  • Jointly agree on next steps, for example subsidies, local regulations, creating awareness, etc.
  • Appoint action holders and responsible persons.
• Together with dialogue partners, create an implementation agenda that determines when each heat-vulnerable building will be tackled and what support is required.