Improving Resilience to Extreme Heat Vulnerabilities: a case study of the Greater Cairo Region

Cairo, a megacity with significant vulnerabilities to heat and limited resources for adaptation/mitigation, lacks comprehensive research on the health effects of extreme temperatures.

Our research endeavours to address this gap using targeted approaches to examine the spatial relationships between heat-risk, urban form, vulnerable urban areas, and various public health indicators as a basis for devising heat-mitigation strategies in Cairo.

Cairo experiences significant heat buildup and heatwaves, such as the one in 2015, when temperatures reaching up to 49⁰C led to substantial fatalities. Recent studies demonstrate acute heat-vulnerability in most of the urban core of Greater Cairo Region (GCR). Very few studies, however, explore local practices for coping with heat-events, which this study aims to address. While some propose potential mitigation strategies, the literature remains incomplete, lacking validation.

This study will enhance the collaborative effort by examining the heat exposure of GCR through satellite remote-sensing data and by delving into specific case-studies. Additionally, it will collect data on local heat-perceptions and socio-cultural practices related to living with heat. Alongside, microclimate-measurements will be conducted to support analysis and identify potential localised interventions.

The study extends the findings of recent works by Cairo University which formulated design guidelines for enhancing green and healthy spaces across underprivileged communities in Cairo. Drawing on the new evidence generated, it will be possible to extend the scope of this current study and collect pilot data that will support future funding applications to develop and test interventions for heat-health proofing through heat-mitigation strategies for vulnerable communities.