Extreme Heat in Athens: Mayor Haris Doukas’ Plan for Resilience

Athens, a city of concrete and tarmac, suffers from the heat island effect, with very few green spaces to provide relief. Wildfires are encroaching on the surrounding forests, further diminishing the city’s natural cooling resources. From the Acropolis, one can see an expanse of buildings with scarce patches of greenery.

A City Trapped by Heat and Urban Sprawl

Athens has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s hottest capitals. Experts say that despite facing extreme temperatures, the city has made little progress in environmental innovation. Residents and tourists endure heat waves, seeking comfort on café terraces during cooler evenings.

The forecast predicts temperatures to hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) this weekend. Authorities are preparing measures to protect citizens from the imminent heat wave.

Key Points:

• Dense buildings cover 80% of Athens’ surface area
• Tarmac and cement surfaces retain heat during heat waves
• Green spaces are rare and shrinking due to wildfires
• Residents rely on evening outings for relief from the heat

Athens’ urban landscape is dominated by concrete, which absorbs and retains heat, making the city exceptionally hot, particularly during summer heat waves.

Haris Doukas Addressing Heat Challenges in Greece’s Capital

Mayor Haris Doukas has prioritized the survival of Athens’ residents amid record-breaking summer heat. As mainland Europe’s hottest metropolis, Athens faced its hottest June ever, with fires already ravaging 23% of its green areas. And now, Doukas prioritizes protecting residents from sweltering summer temperatures by:

• Planting trees
• Opening air-conditioned public spaces
• Establishing water stations

Doukas aims to make Athens, Europe’s hottest metropolis, more resilient to heat waves. The mayor stresses the importance of survival as the city faces unprecedented temperatures and wildfires.

Immediate Actions for Heat Relief

To mitigate the impact of heat, Doukas has implemented multiple strategies:

• Establishing cooling centers
• Setting up water stations
• Launching a 24-hour heatwave assistance line

Recognizing the elderly as particularly vulnerable, the city has provided them with biometric watches for emergency alerts. Doukas believes that improving urban greenery can significantly reduce temperatures, emphasizing the urgency of tree planting.

Long-Term Vision for a Sustainable Athens

According to the European Environment Agency, Athens lags behind other European cities in terms of tree coverage, with only 11% of the land shaded. In comparison, Rome has 24%, and Madrid boasts 39%.

When it comes to green space, Athens doesn’t fare much better. The city provides about 26.9 square feet (2.5 sq m) of green space per person, making it one of the least-green major cities globally. Conversely, Rome offers about 300 square feet (28 sq m) per person. London is even greener, providing 753.5 square feet (70 sq m) per person, according to a 2019 Journal of Forestry Science study.

Haris Doukas plans to plant 5,000 trees by the end of the year and 25,000 during his term. This effort aims to lower temperatures, reduce pollution, and improve air quality across Athens. His approach is grounded in practical measures and reinforced by technology, such as a new app tracking tree plantings.

Despite these efforts, the mayor remains realistic about the difficulties. With Greece’s prime minister warning of a particularly dangerous summer, the city faces continued threats from rising temperatures and wildfire risk.

Public Response

The public response to Doukas’ initiatives reflects the growing urgency of climate adaptation. Residents, especially the elderly, find refuge in newly established cooling centres. Others monitor weather updates closely, seeking respite from the oppressive heat.

Haris Doukas’ plan is a multifaceted approach to combatting extreme heat in Athens. His efforts to expand urban greenery, enhance public cooling spaces, and support vulnerable populations demonstrate a dedicated response to the climate crisis. Though challenges persist, the mayor’s proactive stance aims to secure Athens’s safer, cooler future.