Over 229,608 homes in Barcelona aren’t adequately adapted to handle extreme heat waves, according to a new UPC study. That represents 28% of the city’s entire housing stock. The research comes after this summer’s brutal temperatures.
Climate change is making heat waves more frequent and intense. Consequently, these vulnerable homes pose significant health risks to residents. The extreme temperatures can even cause deaths, the study warns.
Researchers from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya analysed open cadastral data. Specifically, the architecture, energy and environment research group at UPC’s Barcelona School of Architecture conducted the study. They examined building characteristics that make homes especially sensitive to high temperatures.
The findings highlight a serious problem. Moreover, the study identifies which construction features leave homes defenceless against heat. These include poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, and materials that trap heat.
Barcelona suffered through several intense heat waves this past summer. Temperatures regularly exceeded safe levels for extended periods. Therefore, the UPC research provides crucial data for understanding the scale of the problem.
The 229,608 vulnerable homes are spread across all districts. However, certain neighbourhoods face higher concentrations of at-risk housing. The study used cadastral records to map exactly where these vulnerable properties are located.
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