From nightlife to life at night: cities must stay open later to beat the rising heat
From floodlit beaches to late-night libraries, city life has to change to beat the heat.
Europe is experiencing one of its hottest summers on record, with intense heatwaves causing wildfires and drought across the continent. Urban areas, designed for cold weather, struggle with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C. This has forced residents to shift their daily routines to cooler evening hours, as spending drops during daytime heatwaves and rises after sunset.
While some cities have begun adapting by extending evening public services and opening night-time recreational facilities, many have not yet fully incorporated the need for nighttime life into their planning. Measures such as improved late-night public transport, extended opening hours for libraries and community facilities, and enhanced nighttime lighting in pedestrian areas can help cities better withstand extreme heat.
However, there is a greater need for research and planning to ensure that cities can adapt their operations to a future where the daytime may become less suitable for many aspects of life.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
