Towards an Improved Governance of Heatwaves in the MENA Region

Executive Summary

- Temperatures across the Middle East region are predicted to increase by 3°C by 2050
- Warming will be felt more in cities because of the urban heat island (UHI) effect, causing heat-related health problems
- City planning and management regimes are often disconnected from disaster risk and resilience building and legislation is lacking
- Lacking data and information sharing across multiple levels of governance hamper heatwave warning systems
- Urban building projects lead to a soaring demand for cooling systems
- Traditional adaptations such as street grid design, wind catchers and mashrabiya screens could be used more
- Policy response should include national Heat Health Action Plans that are translated into Local Heat Plans, coordinated and implemented by local governments