Reducing Heat Stress in Amsterdam Community Buildings
With rising global temperatures, urban areas like Amsterdam are increasingly vulnerable to extreme heat. This is particularly due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect which describes the fact that cities are becoming hotter due to heat-absorbing surfaces like concrete, limited vegetation, and waste heat from buildings and vehicles. The health risks from heat are especially severe for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and people without permanent residence. While traditional air conditioning systems offer relief, they exacerbate the UHI effect by releasing further heat outdoors and consuming large amounts of energy. This project, in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam and Gas Terug, explores sustainable alternatives to conventional cooling to enhance public health, reduce energy use, and support the city’s long-term environmental strategy.
Collaborator: Actienetwerk Gas Terug, Gemeente Amsterdam
Students: Eleni Anagnostopoulou, Anezka Bos, Chayenne Olumuyiwa
Supervisors: Jarik Guijt, Emiel van Loon
Cohort: 2025
Challenge
The challenge is to find and implement energy-efficient cooling solutions for Amsterdam’s community buildings that effectively reduce heat stress without increasing the urban heat island (UHI) effect. These solutions must also be socially acceptable, financially feasible, and environmentally sustainable within the city’s broader climate adaptation goals.
Approach
The project follows a five-phase approach. First, the Orientation phase establishes the project scope and stakeholder alignment. Next, the Building & Community Mapping phase involves selecting four high-priority community buildings through site assessments and stakeholder interviews. In the Cooling Methods Investigation phase, literature reviews and expert consultations are conducted to explore passive and low-energy active cooling techniques. The Modeling & Pilot Design phase then uses computational models and Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate and design an implementation-ready pilot for one building. Finally, the Evaluation phase focuses on implementing the pilot, assessing its effectiveness, and creating guidelines for broader application.
Outcomes
A comprehensive report comparing cooling techniques based on energy, cost, health, and environmental impact.
A pilot study design for a selected building, ready for implementation.
Recommendations for scaling sustainable cooling strategies across Amsterdam’s municipal infrastructure.
Contributions toward the city’s energy, green, and circular transition goals, potentially reducing reliance on air conditioning and mitigating the UHI effect.