Properties Vulnerable to Heat Impact Report

The Properties Vulnerable to Heat Impact report, produced by Arup, maps London's heat risk across homes, neighbourhoods, and essential properties in the wake of climate change, informing the Mayor of London’s plans for resilience.

The study focused on essential settings, emphasising areas where occupants are especially vulnerable to heat-related hazards. This included schools, hospitals, care homes residential properties and neighbourhoods.

The report, commissioned by the Mayor of London, shows there is a direct correlation between a higher heat risk and areas that have greater socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Published alongside the independent London Climate Resilience Review’s interim report commissioned by the Mayor of London, this study will help inform how London and the boroughs prioritise interventions and adaptations needed across the capital to respond to the climate emergency.

The report references how urban heat is a key challenge facing London. The materials we use to build, like concrete and metal, absorb heat in the day and emit it at night. Commonly referenced as the urban heat island (UHI) effect, factors including heat emitted from cars and air conditioning units, exacerbate the impact and human experience of heat in cities.