Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to public health, primarily due to the rise in extreme temperatures and heatwaves, with Spain being one of the most affected countries. Compounding this, multiple studies demonstrate that the distribution of the urban temperature gradient is linked to social inequalities, with the most severe effects of this climatic scenario predominantly affecting especially vulnerable populations. In order to reduce the population’s exposure to extreme temperatures, it is imperative to develop effective adaptation strategies in urban environments, considering population vulnerability and the differential impacts of climate change on various social groups. Therefore, it is necessary, as a preliminary step, to identify, characterize, and categorize those urban areas most susceptible to the climatic risk of extreme heat. This study focuses on Seville, proposing a multifactorial approach to identify, at a district level, areas and socio-economic groups especially vulnerable to extreme heat. The methodology integrates geospatial, microclimatic, socio-economic, and demographic analyses, employing R-Studio as a statistical tool for the treatment and analysis of spatiotemporal data. Factors such as age, income, inequality, and unemployment, which increase health risks and exposure time to extreme temperatures, are considered. Additionally, the spatiotemporal distribution of microclimate during heatwaves, influenced by the Urban Heat Island (UHI), is analysed. The results of this research provide an understanding of the spatial distribution of vulnerability to extreme temperatures in the studied city and offer a solid foundation for prioritising and guiding future heat adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Presenters
Julia Díaz BorregoPredoctoral Researcher, Construcciones Arquitectónicas I, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain Alicia Alonso
Professor, Instituto Universitario de Arquitectura y Ciencias de la Construcción, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain Rocio Escandon
Universidad de Sevilla
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Human Impacts and Responsibility
KEYWORDS
Extreme Heat, Vulnerability Analysis, Microclimatic, Spatiotemporal Data, R-Studio
