Urban Design as a Way to Address Climate Change and Heat Islands: The Cases of Barcelona and Milan.

The climate crisis and global warming have intensified heatwaves, especially in cities, where urban heat islands make conditions unhealthy, particularly for vulnerable members of the society like the elderly persons and children. In cities like Barcelona and Milan, geographical and population factors worsen this effect. Mitigating urban heat involves strategies at three levels: urban policy, settlementscale projects, and architectural interventions, focusing on improving the urban climate, enhancing energy efficiency, and incorporating greenery. This paper compares how Barcelona and Milan address heat waves, examining not just their effectiveness but also the cultural values shaping these urban and architectural strategies.