This toolkit provides a practical, step-by-step framework to support cities, urban local governments, planners, practitioners, and community stakeholders in developing and implementing Heat Action Plans (HAPs) to address the growing risks of extreme heat. Designed around a continuous cycle of Assess, Plan, Respond, and Review, the toolkit helps cities move from understanding heat risks to taking coordinated action that protects people, saves lives, and strengthens long-term resilience.
The toolkit combines evidence-based risk assessment with participatory planning and operational response tools. It guides users in identifying heat hotspots and vulnerable populations, developing vulnerability registries, establishing heat alert and response systems, prioritising long-term risk-reduction measures, and strengthening institutional coordination. It also supports cities in evaluating their response, incorporating community feedback, and regularly updating plans to ensure continuous improvement.
Each phase includes practical, ready-to-use tools, templates, and facilitation guides that can be adapted to different local contexts and levels of capacity. These include participatory heat-mapping exercises, vulnerability surveys, stakeholder planning workshops, heat event activation checklists, community heat warden programmes, after-action reviews, and annual plan update processes. The toolkit is designed to be accessible to both technical and non-technical users, enabling local governments and communities to work together to reduce heat-related risks.
Recognising that extreme heat is not only an environmental issue but also a public health, social, and development challenge, the toolkit promotes a people-centred, equity-focused approach. Particular attention is given to protecting vulnerable groups, including older persons, young children, outdoor workers, people with chronic illnesses, residents of informal settlements, and socially isolated individuals.
Sustainedge and AARD envision this toolkit as a practical resource for translating climate information, local knowledge, and community priorities into effective action. By strengthening preparedness, improving coordination, and supporting targeted interventions, the toolkit aims to help cities build safer, healthier, and more heat-resilient urban futures.
Download the toolkit from this link.