Title: Assessing heat wave vulnerability in Beijing and its districts, using a three dimensional model

Authors: Mingshun Zhang; Huan Wang; Wei Jin; Meine Pieter Van Dijk

Addresses: Beijing Climate Change Response Research and Education Centre, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA), No. 1, Zhanlanguan Road, Beijing, 100044, China ' Beijing Climate Change Response Research and Education Centre, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA), No. 1, Zhanlanguan Road, Beijing, 100044, China ' Hebei University of Environmental Engineering, No. 8, Jingang Street, Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao, 066102, China ' International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Kortenaerkade, 12 2518, AX The Hague, The Netherlands

Abstract: An urban Heat Wave Vulnerability Index (HWVI) is created and tested in Beijing and different districts in the city. It is based on a limited number of indicators, but enough indicators to effectively measure heat wave vulnerability. The HWVI developed uses data on 9 individual indicators covering the three core components exposure, sensibility and adaptive capacity. Testing the HWVI shows that heat wave vulnerability increased slightly in Beijing in the period of 2008 to 2016. Vulnerability differs between the 16 districts of Beijing. High vulnerability is observed in the urban downtown area and development areas, lower vulnerability is measured in the urban periphery. Very low vulnerability is found in the ecological conservation areas of some districts. This study develops and applies a methodological approach that could serve other mega cities in developing heat wave adaptation policies. Findings are relevant for Beijing to develop its climate change adaptation actions.

Keywords: heat wave; vulnerability assessment; climate change; adaptation; heat wave vulnerability index; HWVI; global warming; adaptive capacity; exposure to climate change; sensibility to climate change; adaptation action; Beijing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.098524

International Journal of Global Warming, 2019 Vol.17 No.3, pp.297 - 314

Received: 21 Aug 2018
Accepted: 28 Nov 2018
Published online: 25 Mar 2019 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article