A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK TO HELP CITIES BEAT THE HEAT

Hot summers are becoming the new normal. Streets that once offered relief now store heat, nights stay uncomfortably warm, and heatwaves increasingly affect our health, daily routines, and public spaces. Cities are warming faster than their surroundings, creating so-called Urban Heat Islands—and this is a challenge that touches everyone.

The Be Ready Strategic Framework is about turning this problem into an opportunity. It helps cities plan smarter, long-term ways to stay cool and livable as the climate changes. Instead of quick fixes, it looks ahead—showing how cities can reduce heat risks while making neighborhoods healthier, greener, and more enjoyable.

At the heart of the framework are simple but helpful ideas: more trees and green spaces, cooler building materials, shaded streets, and public places designed for people, not just traffic. These nature-based and climate-sensitive solutions don’t just lower temperatures—they improve air quality, support wellbeing, and make cities nicer places to live.

Importantly, the framework provides common recommendations for the entire Danube Region, creating a shared foundation for action and cooperation. It serves as a Danube-wide UHI resilience plan, promoting nature-based solutions, climate-sensitive urban design, and resilient public spaces that deliver environmental, social, and health benefits.

Designed as a flexible and transferable tool, the Be Ready Strategic Framework helps local and regional authorities turn EU climate objectives into concrete action, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and build cooler, healthier, and more resilient cities for the future.

Being “Be Ready” means preparing cities not just to survive hotter summers—but to thrive in them, creating cooler, healthier, and more resilient places for everyone.

Read the full document HERE!

This conference is supported as part of Be Ready, an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.

BUILDING HEAT-RESILIENT CITIES: THE BE READY VIRTUAL PILOT-BASED TRAINING PROGRAM

Cities are heating up, and heatwaves are becoming more common. Concrete, asphalt, and buildings trap the sun’s heat, making urban areas warmer than the surrounding rural areas. This “Urban Heat Island” effect can impact our comfort, health, and daily life.

The Be Ready Virtual Pilot-based Training Program is a free, online course created to help people understand this challenge and learn how cities can respond to it. Developed by universities and experts working with European cities, the course turns real-life experience into practical learning that anyone can follow.

The training includes three short online modules. Together, they explain what Urban Heat Islands are, how cities can identify areas most affected by heat, why involving local communities matters, and how small, targeted actions—such as adding greenery or improving public spaces—can help cool cities.

The course is online, free of charge, and self-paced, so learners can join anytime and study at their own speed. It is available on the Canvas learning platform in English and 11 other languages, and no specialist knowledge is needed.

The Be Ready Virtual Pilot-based Training Program is open to everyone interested in climate-friendly cities—from local authority staff and urban planners to students, researchers, and citizens. It offers a simple and practical way to learn how cities can become cooler, healthier, and better prepared for hotter summers.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.

Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities

Discover the New Booklet: “Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities”

Cities are becoming increasingly hot, with heatwaves turning into a regular part of daily life. Urban surfaces such as streets, buildings, and paved areas absorb heat and release it slowly, causing cities to be warmer than their surroundings. This phenomenon, known as the Urban Heat Island effect, impacts people’s health, comfort, and overall wellbeing.

A new digital booklet is now available for anyone interested in making cities cooler and healthier. Titled “Acupuncture for Healthy and Heat-Resilient Communities,” it shares the results and lessons of the Be Ready project, which tackles urban heat islands—areas in cities that can be several degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas.

What makes the booklet special is its focus on practical, easy-to-apply solutions. Instead of large-scale urban redesigns, it highlights “urban acupuncture”—small, targeted actions that have a big impact. The booklet shows how cities can use:

Green acupuncture – planting trees and greenery to lower temperaturesWhite acupuncture – using reflective materials to keep surfaces coolBlue acupuncture – smart ways to use water to reduce heat

The booklet is full of real stories, step-by-step tips, and examples that other cities can replicate. It’s designed to be both inspirational and practical, helping urban planners, community leaders, and policymakers bring heat-resilient solutions to life.

It also links these measures to major European policies, like the European Green Deal and the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change, showing how small interventions can support broader climate goals.

Available in English and free to access, this booklet is a go-to guide for anyone looking to create cooler, greener, and more resilient cities.

Discover insights, inspiration, and more—explore the booklet HERE.

This project is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme co-funded by the European Union.

SOFIA’S CLIMATE SHELTER PILOT

Discover how a once-neglected urban courtyard in Sofia’s Draz Mahala neighbourhood has been transformed into a vibrant urban climate shelter – a place that cools, connects and strengthens the community.

This inspiring pilot action, brought to life under the Be Ready project, illustrates how small strategic interventions can make cities more resilient to urban heat islands — a growing challenge across the Danube region. Situated near Lion’s Bridge, one of Sofia’s busiest and most heat-exposed areas, the 350 m² site was redesigned through co-creation with local residents, artists, students, NGOs and migrants.

The video showcases every step of this transformation: from clearing the neglected space and installing shade structures with a water-misting system and drinking fountain, to planting climate-adapted greenery and creating community garden beds. Artistic installations and storytelling elements by young local creators add a unique cultural dimension to the shelter, turning it into a cool refuge, public meeting point and climate awareness hub.

Since its inauguration, the climate shelter has become a valued public amenity – offering relaxation, community activities, free health checks, games and opportunities to engage with nature. This pilot not only responds to heat stress in an urban hotspot but also validates the “urban acupuncture” approach — demonstrating how small, thoughtful interventions can have a big impact on neighbourhood well-being and resilience.

Watch the video and see how Sofia is turning climate challenges into community-driven solutions: 

Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.

THE NEW CLIMATE SHELTER IN SOFIA TRANSFORMS A NEGLECTED URBAN SPACE INTO A COMMUNITY HUB

A neglected municipal courtyard in Sofia’s Draz Mahala neighborhood has been transformed into an urban climate shelter – a place that offers rest and coolness during the summer heat, while revitalizing one of the city’s more vulnerable areas. The pilot project by the Sofia Development Association, under the Be Ready project of the Interreg Danube Region Programme, co-funded by the EU, turned 350 square meters of unused municipal land into an attractive green space co-designed with local residents.

Located near Lion’s Bridge – one of the city’s busiest and most heat-exposed transport arteries – the climate shelter responds to a pressing urban challenge: the growing impact of urban heat islands. The area is home to a significant number of vulnerable citizens and disadvantaged groups, including elderly people, low-income households, and migrants.

The transformation began in May with a workshop that brought together residents, students, artists, NGO representatives, and migrants to shape a shared vision for the space and define its community needs. What followed was a dynamic collaboration that engaged over 130 citizens and the Sofia Development Association team in volunteer activities and artistic interventions.

Through joint effort, the site was cleaned up, all sealed surfaces were replaced with permeable ones, and a shaded relaxation area with a water mist cooling system was built. In a neighborhood where there is only one public drinking fountain per 50,000 residents, the installation of a new one is a major benefit. With expert guidance from the University of Forestry and ecologists from Serdika District, climate-resilient trees and plants were planted, along with a small community herb garden. The climate shelter also includes other ecological features such as composting, a rainwater collector, an insect hotel, and birdhouses.

Young artists and designers from Studio Vazel brought the space to life with visual art and installations that tell stories and engage visitors in environmental care.

The climate shelter has been warmly welcomed by local residents, offering a new space for relaxation, amenities such as blood pressure measurement, board games, opportunities to work in the herb garden, and to host small community events. The pilot project was carried out with the support of municipal councillors from the Sofia Development Association’s Board of Directors and the district administration, and was highly praised for its innovative approach, inclusive design, and effective use of municipal property for public benefit.

The project proved the feasibility of the urban acupuncture concept – creating small, smartly designed “pocket parks” that bring relief where large-scale investments are not possible.

Be Ready is an Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union.