Urban heat islands occur when cities become significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to dense buildings, asphalt, concrete, and limited vegetation. These surfaces absorb and retain heat, while human activities such as traffic and air conditioning further increase temperatures.
The effect can worsen heatwaves, reduce air quality, and increase energy demand. Common measures to reduce urban heat islands include planting trees, creating parks and green roofs, installing reflective or cool roofing materials, and using permeable, light-colored pavements. These strategies improve urban resilience, public health, and environmental quality. Addressing urban heat islands directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities) by promoting safer, more inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
This PIONEER workshop brings together practitioners from across Europe to explore how innovations from research can be transferred into industrial applications. The focus is on practical tools, cooperation models, success stories, and methods for engaging industrial partners in co-creation. Participants will gain insights into how innovation ecosystems, testbeds, hubs, and applied research organizations can help companies identify use cases, test solutions, and move towards implementation.
The workshop will take place on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CET
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