Lesley De Cruz, Andrei Covaci

Build your climate-resistant city of the future

From car parks to parks

You’ve probably noticed it already: the climate is changing and extreme weather conditions, such as heatwaves and severe rainstorms, are becoming more frequent. During the summer, these heatwaves can lead to higher temperatures in cities compared to the countryside (known as the urban heat island effect). In short: amidst all the concrete and asphalt, the heat feels even more intense! This high temperature and heat stress can lead to health problems and excess mortality. But what would happen if we transformed all parking lots into parks?

In this workshop, visitors can use LEGO blocks to explore the impact of urban land use on the city’s temperature. Participants build a miniature city with LEGO and analyze their setup using artificial intelligence. Can you make your neighborhood climate-resilient?