New project maps urban heat stress in Utrecht with the help of citizens and open data

Cities are getting hotter due to climate change, which can lead to health problems, especially during heatwaves. Through the UTMOST project, researchers, governments and residents are working together to better understand where and when heat becomes a serious issue in the city. 

The project has recently received funding from NWO (Dutch Research Council) Open Science and collects measurements from citizens, for example via weather stations in gardens, on balconies and at schools. These measurements are intelligently combined with data from professional monitoring networks, such as those operated by KNMI – the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. This creates a much more detailed picture of temperature differences between neighborhoods and the city and its surroundings. 

The project starts in the Utrecht region but is designed to be expanded to other cities in the future. Using these data, UTMOST produces maps that show where heat stress is most severe and which areas are particularly vulnerable. This helps municipalities and other organisations make better decisions, for example about urban greening or protecting vulnerable groups during hot days. All data and software are openly available, allowing anyone to use and build upon them. 

In addition, UTMOST works with Sonnenborgh - museum and observatory to explain how the urban climate works and what people can do to make their surroundings cooler. In this way, the project contributes to healthier, fairer and more livable cities for everyone. Utrecht University's Michiel van den Broeke is one of the many people involved in this project. Other partners are RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, #IMAU, #meetjestad/Stichting Milieucentrum Utrecht (MCU), Samen Meten aan de Leefomgeving (#SMAL) Zeist, Meet Je Stad Amersfoort, #CitizenScience