Vienna defends itself against the heat: new action plan for endangered groups

Vienna defends itself against the heat: new action plan for endangered groups

in Vienna, you prepare for upcoming heat waves at an early stage. The city has set up a comprehensive heat action plan that includes short -term protective measures and long -term urban development developments. In view of the forecasts that extreme heat days with temperatures above 40 degrees could occur more frequently in the future, this is all the more important. According to Meinzärbäck , this plan is particularly about the support of vulnerable groups that are exposed to health risks in the heat.

In order to mitigate the consequences of extreme heat, the city relies on measures such as reversing in public space and the creation of new green areas. These long -term strategies could make a decisive contribution to the fact that Vienna remains a little "cooler" even on hot days. In addition, a digital warning system is activated when temperatures rise dangerously. Information is provided via various media, apps and the popular “Wienbot” to provide help in good time. A special focus is on older people, children, pregnant women and homeless people who suffer the most from the heat.

mobile teams and information offers

The city has set up mobile teams that not only distribute water, but also advise on site. Digital monitoring for temperature and air quality measurement ensures that heat hotspots can be recognized early. The heat action plan comprises a total of 29 measures, about half of which aim at vulnerable groups. Nursing homes, hospitals and day centers have emergency plans and structural adjustments to offer residents and patients in the heat.

The Social Association VDK points out that similar measures in other cities, such as in Germany, still have to be expanded. Many care facilities are still insufficiently prepared for extreme heat conditions and require structural measures and training for the staff in order to better protect vulnerable people. Access to funding programs for these measures is often limited, which makes it difficult to implement, and it turns out that a comprehensive heat protection plan for nursing homes and hospitals across Europe is necessary. According to Tagesschau , around 3,000 people died in the heat wave of the last summer of heat-inserted causes.

increased temperatures and their consequences

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recently pointed out that climate change will also be expected to increase heat waves in the coming decades. It is known that particularly vulnerable groups - such as older people, pregnant women, children and people with chronic diseases - can suffer massively from the health effects. Therefore, good monitoring for the effective provision of information and the development of heat protection measures is essential, such as the rki emphasized.

Vienna has not rested on his laurels and shows with the heat action plan and the numerous measures on how serious you take the challenges due to rising temperatures. Above all, the vulnerability of those who are particularly at risk shows the urgency of effective protective measures and the need for an urban infrastructure that enables a safe and healthy life even on hot days.