As the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are growing, strategies to improve our resilience are becoming more vital. Policies to increase heat stress resilience are mostly isolated across different disciplines and government departments. A holistic approach would be necessary that mitigates the numerous negative impacts of heatwaves on public health, urban infrastructure and services through adaptation to heatwaves in the realm of public health, building and construction industry, and urban planning and infrastructure.
This paper reviews the research on heat stress adaptation measures, before presenting recommendations for a range of integrated policy measures to increase the heat stress resilience of urban populations in Australian cities. The recommended policy measures include information dissemination, incentives and disincentives, promotion, demonstration and regulations. The paper concludes by identifying directions for further research and reinforcing the multiple benefits that can result from the implementation of heat stress resilience policies and strategies.
Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2018.05.001