Hélder Lopes, a researcher at Lab2PT/IN2PAST, professor and geographer at the University of Minho, was the guest on the UMinho R&D special, dedicated to World Radio Day, with climate change as the theme.

A study led by a researcher at the University of Minho argues that cities need “climate refuges” to protect inhabitants and tourists from “heat waves” or “cold snaps”.
Hélder Lopes has focused his research on the Porto Metropolitan Area, but plans to carry out the same study in the city of Guimarães later this year, followed by Braga.
The visiting professor in the Geography department points out some improvements to be implemented in cities in terms of green, blue and gray infrastructures.
These include, for example, “solutions that avoid the allocation of lawns and the placement of biodiverse meadows in cities”. In addition, municipalities can choose to “put more urban gardens in the city and create urban parks that are connected, because one of the problems is the urban heat island, which is exacerbated by climate change”.
In terms of blue infrastructure, the researcher concluded that it will be necessary to “improve existing watercourses by creating riparian galleries and reduce the number of blocked watercourses, which in many European cases appear as a solution to bring nature back to the city”.
“In terms of gray infrastructure, the creation of green walls, vertical gardens or structures created on top of buildings is suggested,” said Hélder Lopes, who also pointed out ”the adoption of public spaces, such as libraries and museums, where people can stay.”

 

In an interview with RUM, the researcher said that “many of the projects developed in the municipality of Porto are in line with the research and work carried out by academia”. “What is perhaps lacking in this creation of a connection between entities is linking the local communities, the tourism companies themselves and the city councils,” he added.

 

In an interview with RUM, the researcher said that “many of the projects developed in the municipality of Porto are in line with the research and work developed by academia”. “What is perhaps lacking in this creation of a connection between entities is linking the local communities, the tourism companies themselves and the city councils,” he added.

 

Programme available HERE