Surviving heatwaves, designing liveable cities 

Summer 2026 gave Europe yet another very stark reminder that climate change is disrupting life in our cities. June was the hottest on record in western Europe, with temperatures 3.06°C above the 1991–2020 average. July followed as the second hottest month on record, and August kept the heat going.  And heat is not just uncomfortable. It can be deadly.  Extreme heat is Europe’s deadliest weather-related hazard, accounting for around 95% of deaths linked to weather a