Helle - sään ääri-ilmiöihin sopeutuminen Päijät-Hämeessä

Project period

1.1.2025 - 30.6.2027

Project funding

EAKR 2021-2027

The central goal of the project is to produce new solutions and information related to climate change in the Päijät-Häme region, especially in adapting to extreme weather conditions and the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The objective is also to help municipalities and their stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities of adapting to climate change, and to ensure that the adaptation measures should be carried out in a just manner. It is also intended to strengthen the working together of municipalities and enterprises in adaptation measures. Therefore, solutions are sought in cooperation between the project partners and the local business community. These actions will serve to transfer, share the risks, increase regional flexibility, and risk tolerance.

The specific goals of the project are to:

1) Firmly embed climate change adaptation activities more effectively in the climate work of the municipalities in the region. To link this more strongly than before to the work being done to mitigate emissions and to ensure that climate justice is realized at all stages, from planning to implementation, right through to monitoring

2) Help municipal planners and designers to aim adaptation measures at the right targets.

3) Promote the adaptation of the private sector to climate change through enterprise-led climate adaptation assessments, carried out in cooperation with the enterprises themselves.

4) Produce new research information and practices on greening and shading pilots.

Takes place in project

Selected Results and Ongoing Actions

The vulnerability assessment report was published in spring 2026: Increasing Heatwaves in Lahti and Päijät-Häme: A Vulnerability Assessment of Residents. (in Finnish) The assessment combined vulnerability data with urban heat island maps, enabling the identification of the areas in the City of Lahti that are most vulnerable to extreme heat.
A scientific publication based on the urban heat island mapping will be presented at the Smart Cities in Smart Regions conference. A link to the publication will be provided once it becomes publicly available.
Urban heat island maps developed within the HELLE project have been used to support the creation of an online cooling map for residents. The map provides information on locations where people can cool down, rest, and seek relief during heatwaves, including cooled public indoor spaces, drinking water points, beaches, cooler outdoor areas, and benches. By incorporating the HELLE project's urban heat island data, the map helps identify areas that remain relatively cooler during hot weather. Viilennystä hellepäiviin - Lahti
The first greening and shading pilot is the urban green oasis established in Lahti city centre to improve heatwave preparedness and thermal comfort for residents. The oasis was delivered in collaboration with the City of Lahti's SoftAcademy project, which was responsible for the practical implementation of the pilot. Several articles have already been published about the initiative. Lahden Lanunaukiolle avattiin uusi viherkeidas tukemaan hellevarautumista - LAB Focus
In addition, the project is developing a climate change adaptation model for cities and municipalities. The model will provide practical guidance for local authorities in planning and implementing adaptation measures and is expected to be published in 2027.