Ageing in the City in the Context of a Climate Emergency

Europe is ageing and summers are getting hotter: adapting the homes of older people is key to protecting their health.

[This text was written jointly by Carlota Sáenz de Tejada, coordinator of the B-COOL@HOME project, Natalie Mueller and Sílvia Borràs, who are also part of the team.]

The place where we live greatly influences our health. That’s why, for older people who spend a lot of time at home, having an adequate dwelling is especially important.
This challenge becomes even more urgent when we consider the climate emergency and the aging population in European cities. Ensuring decent and heat-prepared homes requires effective, sustainable solutions tailored to their needs.

Housing, heat, and aging: a combination that demands urgent attention

Of all the extreme weather events related to climate change affecting Europe, heat causes the most deaths. A recent ISGlobal study points out that high temperatures and the urban heat island effect are responsible for nearly 5% of premature mortality during summer, especially in Spanish cities and particularly among older adults. Moreover, forecasts indicate that Southern Europe will experience hotter summers, more heatwaves, more tropical nights, and for longer periods.

Currently, in Europe, the number of people who cannot keep their homes sufficiently cool in summer already exceeds those who cannot keep them warm enough in winter

Currently, in Europe, the number of people who cannot keep their homes sufficiently cool in summer already exceeds those who cannot keep them warm enough in winter.

At the same time, the European population is aging rapidly: it is estimated that by 2050, over 36% of the Spanish population (one in three people) will be over 65 years old. This means there will be more people vulnerable to heat, because body temperature regulation and the sensation of thirst tend to be impaired with age, especially from 80 years onward. Additionally, many of these individuals take medications such as diuretics, which may increase the risk of dehydration, or may suffer cognitive or mobility limitations that make it difficult to hydrate themselves or move to cooler areas, like climate shelters.

In Barcelona, more than 40% of people over 85 live alone. Adding to this that they have low incomes and rent, we find a group very vulnerable to the effects of heat

Within this population group, women are more susceptible to heat. We also know that older people who live alone have a higher risk of social isolation, a factor associated with increased mortality risk during extreme heat episodes. In Barcelona, for example, more than 40% of people over 85 live alone. When we add that they have low incomes and live in rented housing, we find a group very vulnerable to the negative effects of heat on their physical and mental health.

Aging at home with dignity and health. Is it possible in the city?

The concept of “aging in place” (aging in place) means staying at home and in the community with maximum independence and safety as we age. For many older adults, it is a personal wish, and for many governments, a political goal.

However, living in highly built urban environments presents the additional challenge of the urban heat island, which increases mortality risk and causes significant economic losses for cities. Also, the combination of heat and air pollution can worsen health problems.

In 2021, air conditioning systems in Europe alone emitted as much CO₂ as an entire country, Bulgaria

Many homes do not offer adequate conditions for healthy aging, either due to lack of accessibility or because of extreme temperatures. For example, the heatwave that hit Europe in August 2003 showed that lack of thermal insulation, location on the top floor, and high temperatures in the surrounding environment increased mortality risk. In turn, excessive heat at home is also related to socioeconomic factors: households with lower incomes have twice the difficulty maintaining coolness in summer.

Towards effective and sustainable adaptive measures

Although air conditioning has helped reduce heat-related mortality, its high energy consumption entails a notable environmental impact and high economic cost. In 2021, for example, air conditioning systems emitted as much CO₂ as an entire country, Bulgaria. They also contribute to thermal and noise pollution, increasing inequality between those who can afford to use them and those who cannot.

Therefore, it is important to opt for more sustainable solutions tailored to older people. Some key alternatives and measures are:

1. Evaporative coolers. They consume less energy, although they lose effectiveness in very humid climates and require maintenance to prevent issues like mosquito proliferation.
2. Electric fans. An economical option. They improve sweat evaporation but are not recommended if the temperature exceeds 35°C, especially for older people who have difficulty sweating.
3. “Passive” strategies. Awnings, blinds, green roofs and facades, reflective roofs (cool roofs), or solar chimneys, which help reduce indoor temperature without energy consumption.
4. Personal habits: such as ventilating the house (especially at night), refreshing the skin with water, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and heavy meals, and limiting physical activity and sun exposure during the hottest hours.

The project B-COOL@HOME, funded by the Barcelona City Council and developed by ISGlobal researchers, aims to understand how heat in housing affects the health and well-being of people over 65 living alone in the city of Barcelona, as well as to test low-cost solutions and protective strategies.

If you live alone in the city of Barcelona, are over 65 years old, and do not have air conditioning at home, you can participate by filling out this form.