Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm have taken the top three spots in Savills new Heat Resilience Index, as the cities best prepared to deal with extreme urban heat. Here, extreme temperatures and days over 30°C (86°F) are rare, while progressive policy around ESG helps to mitigate the effects of extreme weather on their populations.
Produced as part of its Impacts global research programme, Savills Heat Resilience Index assesses 30 global cities. The Index reveals that half of the top 10 ranked cities are in Europe, but even these cities may face risk as heatwaves are especially dangerous in places where buildings are not designed for extreme temperatures. Conversely, cities that regularly experience days over 30°C (86°F) may be more adapted to hot weather, through extensive use of air conditioning. But access to this and other heat-mitigation measures could be limited by social inequality.
Savills Heat Resilience Index 2024, top 20 cities most resilient to extreme heat*:
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Top 10: |
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Rank |
Nation |
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1 |
Helsinki |
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2 |
Copenhagen |
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3 |
Stockholm |
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4 |
Tokyo |
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5 |
Amsterdam |
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6 |
Mexico City |
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7 |
Toronto |
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8 |
Berlin |
|
9 |
Boston |
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10 |
Hong Kong |
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11 |
Seoul |
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12 |
Madrid |
|
13 |
London |
|
14 |
New York |
|
15 |
Milan |
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16 |
San Francisco |
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17 |
Sydney |
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18 |
Chicago |
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19 |
Singapore |
|
20 |
Johannesburg |
Source: Savills Research
Chris Cummings, Director, Savills Earth, says: “Urban heat should be considered by authorities when planning large regeneration schemes, especially where they involve densifying as this can intensify urban heat, and it is existing local communities that may be impacted most. Higher land values facing parks and water bodies often result in a concentration of taller buildings. This can form a ‘wall’ effect, hindering the dissipation of cooler air deeper into the urban environment. The solution lies in having a mix of building heights and permeability in the streetscape.”
Paul Tostevin, Director, World Research at Savills, comments: “Cities are taking action by appointing heat officers, redesigning public realms, greening urban areas and promoting energy efficient building codes but there’s more to do. Excessive heat exacerbates air pollution, brings greater risk of wildfire, and heightens the risk of flooding, undermining the attractiveness of a city to live, work and play, and as a place for investment and business expansion. Owners of real estate assets face two specific heat risks: transitional risk; ensuring assets can be adapted to manage climate change and energy use aligns with future legislation, and physical risk; excessive heat can physically damage building materials, so a higher level of structural resilience is required. Ignoring either may lead to reduced values, and at worst, stranded assets.”