Athens to Introduce ‘Cool Routes’ to Mitigate Heatwave Impact
Athens, May 10 – As part of the ongoing Heatwave Project, Athens is preparing to launch a pilot program in June 2026 called #CoolRoutes. This initiative seeks to identify and map ‘cooling oases’ across the city, providing residents with safer and more comfortable routes during periods of extreme heat. The project emerged as the winning idea from the hackathon “Reinventing Heat, the Case of Athens.”
The #CoolRoutes initiative, which will utilize tools such as Google Maps and social media, will allow citizens to locate and share ‘cool pins’ – points of thermal comfort – creating an interactive map. These ‘oases’ can include small parks, shaded arcades, green streets, and public fountains with cool water.
From Helplessness to Collective Action
Martha Gatsinou, a communications expert and member of the #CoolRoutes team, explained to APE-MPE that a primary goal of the initiative is to shift the narrative surrounding heatwaves. “We wanted to move from ‘suffering alone in the city’ to how we can have more collective action and mutual aid,” she stated. The pilot application is specifically designed for individuals who must commute daily in central Athens, even under extreme heat conditions.
Digital Community for Heatwave Days
The initiative aims to foster a digital community where users can plan routes based not only on distance but also on thermal comfort. “Every citizen will be able to map a route that seriously considers shade, coolness, and the availability of nearby fountains,” Gatsinou elaborated. Initially, a city map with ‘cool pins’ will be created, with plans for a live reporting system where citizens can report issues like non-functioning fountains or areas lacking sufficient shade. Users will also be able to rate locations and share information using the hashtag #CoolRoutes.
Heatwave Project: Changing the Heatwave Narrative
The Heatwave Project began in Greece in June 2025, with the core objective of changing how citizens perceive heatwaves and extreme weather events. Iasonas Kantas, the project’s communication manager, explained, “We want to talk about heatwaves differently, in a way that makes citizens feel they can act collectively.” The hackathon “Reinventing Heat, the Case of Athens,” held in April in Athens, involved approximately 40 participants from various professional backgrounds. The #CoolRoutes concept secured first place and received initial funding of 2,000 euros for its pilot implementation.
Heatwaves as a Social and Psychological Issue
Research conducted by the Heatwave Project and Mindworks Lab revealed that over half of Greeks are significantly affected by heatwaves, with the majority viewing them as a serious future threat. Key findings include:
- 6 out of 10 believe that communities and neighborhoods themselves should take action.
- Only 1 in 4 believe that citizens can genuinely act collectively.
- 61% of women report being severely affected by heatwaves, compared to 44% of men.
- Among Generation Z, this percentage rises to 67%.
Alexandra Garani, the Heatwave Project’s engagement manager, noted that the research highlighted a significant contradiction: “We recognize that collective adaptation is needed, but we do not trust that we can achieve it.”
“Heatwaves are Here to Stay”
For Martha Gatsinou, the essence of the initiative is to convey a more positive and participatory message about the climate crisis. “The narrative around heatwaves is that it’s a necessary evil, like a natural disaster. But heatwaves are here and will stay. The issue is how we can promote solutions, mutual aid, and find courage from each other,” she emphasized. She added, “The fact that we propose areas with greenery, good ventilation, and less traffic also highlights the real problems of our cities: too much concrete, too little green space, and limited cooling points.”
Source: ertnews.gr
