Climate emergency

Record heat: the map of 'climate shelters' in Rome, Florence, Milan and Turin

In Florence, there is a map of 44 climate shelters that can also be identified through geolocation. In Rome, in addition to parks, there are the 42 public libraries

by Niccolò Gramigni

30 June 2025

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4' min read

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Italy is already in the grip of the heat. Record highs are being reached throughout the country in terms of temperatures. For those who remain in the city, the priority is always the same: to resist. Here is how it is possible in Rome, Florence, Milan and Turin.

Rome's 'climate shelters'

The capital has a fair number of places that may fall within the criteria for climate shelters, both indoor and outdoor, as well as a large number of public gardens. The first category includes, for example, the 42 public libraries, in the second there are 35 historic parks and villas. There is no official mapping yet, but the municipality is 'building' it and it will be presented in 2026. Certainly the library in Viale dei Colli Portuensi, the new study room at the villino del Salvi in the Celio archaeological park, Villa Pamphili and Villa Borghese will be on the list.

"For some time now, there has been talk in Europe and Italy of climate shelters, places with water, shade and coolness where one can take shelter in case of need,' explains Sabrina Alfonsi, Rome's councillor for agriculture, the environment and the waste cycle. 'Barcelona has been working on them for years, in Florence they are mapping them, and Rome is also working to set up a network of safe places where one can find refreshment in the city on particularly hot days, which are becoming increasingly frequent.

The 44 areas of Florence

The Municipality of Florence, with the mayor Sara Funaro and the deputy mayor Paola Galgani (who is in charge of the environment), has created its first list of 'climate shelters': these are those places of refreshment, cool, with access to water and the possibility of shelter from the heat. In total, this first list - to be expanded over time - includes 44 areas. Thanks to geolocation, it is also possible to obtain information on the characteristics of each climate shelter, such as the percentage of shade in parks and gardens, the presence of a drinking fountain and the nearest entrance to it, or the presence of air conditioning. The libraries include the Oblate, Galluzzo and Isolotto libraries. There are 37 gardens, ranging from the Cascine park - the city's green lung - to the park of Villa Strozzi.

"For Florence, as for other Italian and European cities, the impacts of climate change are already evident and are expected to become more and more intense in the future," says Mayor Sara Funaro. Hence the need to implement a series of actions to mitigate the adverse consequences of this change, to prevent or minimise the potential damage to citizens, or to valorise the opportunities that may arise. Climate shelters are an excellent option to stay in cool places'.

Milan's Green Plan

In Milan there are 18 million square metres of green space, dozens of libraries that can be included in the context of climate shelters, more than 50 water houses in places such as parks that were free fresh water (for all citizens, all you need is a health card). The Lombard capital is also, as the councillor for the environment and greenery Elena Grandi explains, 'devoting itself to the drafting of the Green and Landscape Plan. And precisely in the knowledge that heat islands are one of the most evident effects of climate change that most impacts cities and urban areas, we are carrying out with our 'Urban Resilience' project directorate a monitoring of the city that identifies the 'Heat Risk Map'. This is a snapshot of the areas and citizens that are most sensitive to heat waves'.

Turin's climate resilience

There are 51 large parks in Turin and one of the special features is that there are five new areas (in as many parks) with dynamic water games that offer children the chance to have fun while not suffering from the heat. The areas involved are Di Vittorio, Madre Teresa di Calcutta, Peppino Impastato, Don Gnocchi and Pellerina. It is a real alternative to the swimming pool, completely free of charge. The city's historical park par excellence, the Valentino, the municipality explains, 'is currently undergoing a thorough redevelopment that has focused on design solutions capable of responding effectively to the challenges posed by climate change, with the removal of 65,000 square metres of asphalt from its main avenues that will make the ground 'breathe' and help reduce the heat island effect. Other places that can offer refreshment include the civic libraries, in particular the musical Andrea della Corte and Villa Amoretti, located within two of the city's historical parks (Tesoriera and Rignon).

'Turin,' observes Councillor for Green Areas Francesco Tresso, 'is among the greenest cities in Europe, and thanks to the Green Infrastructure Strategic Plan and the Climate Resilience Plan (adopted in 2022) has developed its own strategies to counter climate vulnerabilities, putting the most fragile people at the centre of climate policy' .