Idea CoolCity
Idea CoolCity
A holistic view
CoolCity concept is the belief that adaptation requires a holistic approach to ensure that decisions made at the street, neighborhood, and city level are coherent, effective, and sustainable. Our approach is based on the observation and analysis of interactions between physical events, people, and natural objects, revealing how processes intertwine and interact, changing the urban ecosystem.
Our method allows for planning actions that not only solve individual problems, but also build lasting resilience in the city and improve the quality of life of its residents.
To assess the urban environment from a multifaceted perspective, we analyze five key adaptation challenges: surface permeability, vegetattion state, biodiversity, water conditions and thermal conditions. Each area is important, but the full picture of the city is created by their interconnections and interactions with people.
ADAPTATION CHALLENGES
The CoolCity process involves activities that allow for the full recognition and management of NBS in the context of climate change adaptation:
1Inventory
Informational Products
We start with an inventory of blue-green infrastructure (BGI), green areas, trees, and low vegetation. Thanks to remote sensing, field research, and machine learning, we can quickly inventory the city, regardless of ownership structure.
We create detailed maps and databases that form the basis for further analysis and planning.
The entire CoolCity cycle is a comprehensive tool for analyzing, managing, and monitoring urban greenery in response to climate change. It combines modern technologies, expert knowledge, and public participation, enabling effective planning and implementation of adaptation measures.
Data
Data
At CoolCity, our work is based on an innovative process of city inventory and valuation, which allows for a comprehensive and reliable assessment of its adaptive capacity.
We begin by collecting data from reliable satellite sources and high-resolution aerial data, supplemented by field data gathered by experts.
Information products + spatial indexes
Information products + spatial indexes
We create a detailed inventory of the city in the form of thematic layers reflecting the current state of urban space. We express data objectively and measurably, demonstrating the spatial variability of phenomena. We use a fixed reference unit—hexagons— enabling analysis and comparison of data on a uniform scale.
These products form the basis for calculating spatial indexes using machine learning and artificial intelligence, enabling precise valorization of the city.
Adaptation indexes + CoolCity Index
Adaptation indexes + CoolCity Index
We assign each spatial index to one of five adaptation challenges. The methodology allows for their aggregation using a special calculation formula, resulting in integrated partial indexes, which we then combine into a synthetic value – the CoolCity Index. This index reflects the city's adaptive condition, enables comparisons between units, monitoring progress, and assessing the effectiveness of adaptation measures.
Decision Support System
Decision Support System
We integrate the results into a decision support system based on a digital twin model of the city, which allows for simulation of the impact of adaptation measures. This system combines information from multiple sources and considers environmental factors and human-related factors such as accessibility, protection levels, and ownership.
We can plan at a local scale – at the street level – or globally – encompassing an entire neighborhood or city. Based on the simulation, it recommends nature-based solutions (NBS), taking into account their priorities, economic viability, and impact on residents' quality of life. Recommendations take into account factors such as the scale of the environmental problem, demographic structure, investment cost, and the value of ecosystem services. As an interactive tool it allows for communicating with the citizens.
Top-down
CoolCity is a set of practical tools based on a common idea, guiding cities on the path to adaptation. Together, they create a complete vision of the city—from the general to the specific, as awareness, knowledge, and needs grow. Each CoolCity product can also operate independently, providing users with complete flexibility.
CoolCity RANKING
CoolCity RANKING
A free, annual ranking of the adaptive potential of European cities, based on five key challenges. It serves as a data hub for the public and a reliable source of information for decision-makers, inspiring action in response to the climate crisis.
CoolCity VIEW
CoolCity VIEW
CoolCity View addresses the need for more accurate diagnosis of urban nature. It provides maps of the distribution of adaptation challenges, identifying priority areas for intervention, supporting strategic management and the preparation of documents such as the Urban Adaptation Plan.
CoolCity DESIGN
CoolCity DESIGN
Based on the CoolCity Platform and the Decision Support System, it recommends adaptation measures and provides an up-to-date inventory of the city's blue, green, and gray infrastructure. It combines knowledge, technology, and practical management needs. It integrates stakeholders from various disciplines and levels of governance and supports the daily work of landscapers, planners, designers, and investors.
Global insight • Local impact
Check today what CoolCity can do for your city