Cool Spots in Antwerp

Antwerp, a densely populated city in northern Belgium, has recognised urban heat stress as a critical issue. Following scientific studies and urban heat mapping, the city launched a two-pronged strategy: overall long-term greening and short-term “cool spots.” The approach focuses on local adaptation, public well-being, and resilience, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children.

A Dual Strategy to Tackle Heat Stress

After joining the Covenant of Mayors in 2014, Antwerp launched thematic climate impact studies focused on heat stress. These studies revealed that during summer heatwaves, the city can be up to 9°C hotter at night than surrounding rural areas, with projections indicating a 50% increase in urban heat island intensity by 2030. Building on this evidence, Antwerp adopted the 2020–2025 Climate Plan with  a double focus: (1) long-term greening of urban spaces and (2) short-term implementation of “cool spots” — small, shaded, green areas where residents can find relief during heatwaves.

^{UHI (Urban Heat Island) projections for 2013 and 2030. Source: City of Antwerp, 2020.}

Designing and Implementing Cool Spots

Cool spots are planned using scientific indicators such as the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and potential average radiation temperature. These are mapped citywide to identify heat-stressed areas and guide targeted interventions.

Each cool spot typically covers at least 200 m², with over 80% canopy cover and at least half of the surface unpaved. They combine shade, trees, seating, drinking water, and sometimes water features—offering accessible, comfortable spaces within 150 m of every residence.

^{Cool spots coverage (2025). Source: City of Antwerp, 2025.}

Examples include the EcoHuis garden and Den Bell square, retrofitted from paved plots like rooftops and parking lots, with infrastructure for water retention and healthy root growth. Larger parks such as Zuidpark and Spoorpark have also been redesigned to include dedicated “cool pockets” tailored to vulnerable groups, providing shade and relief during extreme heat.

^{Den Bell square, before and after. Source: City of Antwerp, 2025.}

^{EcoHuis garden as a model cool spot: includes canopy, water elements, and seating. City of Antwerp, 2025.}

^{Integrating cool spots in public space projects: Zuidpark. City on Antwerp, 2025.}

Scaling Greening Through Innovation

Beyond cool spots, Antwerp is investing in systemic greening. This includes:

• “Future Trees” (Toekomstbomen): Monumental trees planted with high-standard underground systems for longevity and full canopy development.
• “Garden Streets” (Tuinstraten): Co-created with residents, converting over-paved streets into green corridors that also aid water retention.
• Private greening incentives: EcoScholen (schoolyard greening), Boomcampagne (free trees), Klimaatpremie (green adaptation subsidies), and the Tegelwippenservice (support for depaving efforts). These programs empower citizens to contribute to urban cooling and climate adaptation.

^{Klimaatpremie (subsidies for adaptation measures). Source: City of Antwerp, 2025.}

^{Stimulating private greening efforts: Boomcampagne- Free tree campaigns. City on Antwerp, 2025.}

Stakeholders and Collaborative Governance

Antwerp’s success lies in its cross-sector, collaborative approach. Projects are co-developed with:

• Municipal departments: Urban planning, mobility, climate, and maintenance teams work together to integrate cooling into broader public space strategies.
• Residents and communities: Citizens co-design solutions—especially in garden streets—through platforms like Stadslab2050, increasing local ownership and usability.
• Private and academic partners: VITO and others provide data, models, and innovation support.
• EU support. EU funds help scale up key projects like Zuidpark.

Main challenges to address heatwaves

• Integrating cooling infrastructure in dense, built-up areas
• Balancing long-term greening goals with immediate livability needs
• Balancing greening with other urban priorities (mobility, safety, budget)
• Ensuring equitable access to cool spaces across all neighborhoods
• Ensuring long-term maintenance and irrigation of new green spaces
• Overcoming private property limitations and ownership constraints

Lessons learnt and next steps

• Pilot projects are essential for testing feasibility, costs, and maintenance needs. Their insights will guide Antwerp’s next climate and greening plans (5–10 year horizon)
• Cool spots are scalable and replicable across streets, parks, and squares and will be embedded in all new public space plans.
• Community co-creation improves outcomes by fostering ownership, and ensuring local relevance.
• Data-driven planning is effective, with WBGT and heat maps guiding targeted, impactful interventions.

Next steps include expanding tree canopy goals, investing in underground infrastructure, scaling up cool spots citywide, and updating strategies every five years.

Replicability

While local conditions vary, Antwerp’s approach is adaptable to other cities facing heat stress. Key takeaways include:

• Use scientific indicators like WBGT to guide interventions.
• Combine short-term relief (cool spots) with long-term greening.
• Engage communities through co-creation and support private action.
• Pilot, evaluate, and scale up based on real-world results.
   

Antwerp is part of the Cities Refresh campaign, creating lively and safe places for all.

Antwerp's Refresh

Solutions to address heatwaves: 6 core measures (cool spots, garden streets, future trees, school greening, tree campaigns, private depaving schemes)

Maximum temperature reached during extreme heat events: 34.3 degrees

• Nature
• Urban Design and Technology
• Community Driven
• Governance
  • Public cool spots in streets, parks, and squares
  • Greening of public and private space (garden streets, schoolyards, free tree campaigns)
  • Investment in "future trees" with deep underground infrastructure
  • Community co-creation through City Lab 2050 and subsidies for private depaving

Expected results with the solutions implemented:  

• Establish a cool spot within 150 meters walking distance of every citizen, in order to provide shelter from extreme temperatures during heat waves.
• Achieve this by applying the following design principles:
  • Maximize tree canopy coverage.
  • Maximize tree clustering and greening.
  • Minimize soil sealing.

Covenant Figures 

Signatory to the Covenant of Mayors since: 2009

Emission reduction ambitions:  

• Overall CO2 emission reduction target: Climate neutrality by 2050
• % GHG emissions reductions by 2030: 50-55%
• % GHG emissions reductions by 2050: 100%

City Awards

• NetZeroCities Mission label for “Linkeroever Klimaatneutraal 2030”
• European City of the Trees Award 2023

Related links 

• Bomenplan 2.0 (Tree plan)
• Climate Impact studies conducted in Antwerp
• Antwerp heat map / study
• Antwerp Climate Plan 2030
• Green Vision for Antwerp District  - Full report