Retail and catering experience declining number of customers and turnover during hot periods

Municipality is heatproof if

• The quality of life in shopping and entertainment areas remains sufficient during heat waves.

Measures

• Heat-resistant shopping street with sufficiently shaded walking routes and parking facilities.
• Adjustment of store hours:
  • Introducing an afternoon closure (siesta) during a heat period.
  • Investigate the possibilities for extended opening hours in the evening.
  • Doors closed when the air conditioning is on.

Tips

• Use heat maps to make visible whether and where heat-vulnerable areas exist now and in the future for shoppers and outgoing public.
• Discuss the possible problem areas with the 'city center manager' and SME business contact officer and check whether there have been any complaints from SMEs or the public in recent years. Coordinate the strategy for entrepreneurs with them.
• Vulnerable areas are planned to be tackled in the multi-year management program or in the development agenda, and when measures can therefore be implemented in conjunction with redevelopment of the area.
• Discuss the outcome with the local business association and check whether they recognize the problem and want to work together on solutions.
• In an interactive design session, investigate which measures (e.g. greening, shade cloths or misting systems) can work and also meet the wishes of entrepreneurs. Take the HvA 's heat adaptation design guidelines into account.
• Draw up an implementation agenda that indicates when which activities will be taken up and determine what follow-up steps can be taken and who are action holders and responsible for them.
• Determine whether a subsidy scheme can help entrepreneurs to take measures.