POLICY BRIEF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT TURNING DOWN URBAN HEAT ­CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR URBAN CLIMATE RESILIENCE Costas Cartalis September 2024 Cities are vulnerable to excessive heat associated with climate change because of their high population density, infrastructure and built-up areas. Appropriate measures to mitigate urban heat need to consider the‘vibe’ of the city, as well as its urban functions, urban form and urban fabric. Households with lower incomes are more exposed to heat, mainly because of the moderate or poor quality and age of the buildings they tend to occupy and the higher density of heat sources in their vicinity. It is therefore necessary to prioritise the application of urban heat mitigation plans in these areas. Involving local communities in the urban heat mitigation process is essential to raise awareness of climate change and to encourage local initiatives to increase equitable resilience.