Tampere publishes Finland’s first heat relief map

Tampere has published what is believed to be Finland’s first interactive map designed to help residents cope with extreme heat, according to a report by Yle.

The city, which has the most severe urban heat island effect among Finland’s major cities according to an OECD comparison, compiled the online tool to direct people to free cool indoor spaces, parks, swimming beaches, and water points.

Maaria Parry, a leading climate expert at the city’s vitality centres, said the service is likely the first of its kind in Finland. The map was created in response to rising temperatures, as climate change increases the number of hot days and intensifies heat in urban areas.

Public libraries such as the main library Metso and cultural centre Laikku offer air-conditioned spaces, while parks and beaches provide natural cooling. The map also highlights areas to avoid, including the city centre’s eastern parts, Lielahti and Nekala industrial areas, Hatanpää, the university hospital district, and Hervanta centre, where surface temperatures can exceed 40°C on hot days.

Blue water stations have been installed in the city centre and at popular beaches, with their locations marked on the map. The World Health Organization reports that over 200,000 people in Europe have died from heat-related causes in the past four years.

Niilo Ryti, a disaster medicine docent at the University of Oulu, called heat a significant public health issue that increases mortality in all climates, including Finland’s. Authorities advise drinking enough water, staying in shade or cool spaces, and avoiding heavy physical exertion during peak heat.