A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) highlights how European cities should tailor climate strategies based on their type.
Researchers analyzed 1,263 cities and grouped them into metropolitan, established, growing, and shrinking categories, linking these with findings from over 1,600 studies on climate measures.
Growing cities in Southern and Southeastern Europe, including Tirana and Barletta, require urgent investment in heat protection and water systems, while established cities such as Landshut and Seville should focus on retrofitting buildings, expanding green spaces, and shifting to sustainable transport.
Metropolises like Paris and London benefit most from electrification, stronger public transport, and early warning systems for extreme heat. Shrinking cities in Eastern Europe, such as Daugavpils and Bydgoszcz, can rely on nature-based solutions and infrastructure upgrades to strengthen flood defenses.
Lead author Mira Kopp noted that rapidly growing cities face severe heat stress due to limited greenery, while wealthier cities carry greater responsibility to cut emissions.
Co-author Felix Creutzig added that Berlin’s plan to plant 400,000 street trees may ease heatwaves but warned the city is not on track to meet its 2030 climate goals, particularly in transport.
