Paris, France. Record temperatures in Paris and Britain have exposed the limits of ageing homes built to retain rather than deflect heat, as Western Europe faces a heatwave that has claimed dozens of lives and disrupted daily life. Residents in cities including Paris and London are struggling in ageing housing stock as governments face complex and costly adaptation challenges.
Heat builds inside ageing homes
In a 9-square-metre attic flat beneath the zinc rooftops of Paris, 21-year-old Ulysse Zachary said bars of soap had melted and pressure in wine bottles had started pushing out corks during the heatwave.
He said the apartment becomes “an oven” after a few hours of sunshine. To cope, he has been sleeping under wet towels, putting on damp clothes and sitting in front of a fan, though he said the best solution was to go outside despite the searing heat.
Record temperatures in France and Britain
Western Europe is in the grip of a heatwave that has claimed dozens of lives, disrupted power supplies and led to the closure of schools and tourist attractions.
Paris recorded a June high of 40.9 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, while Britain registered its highest temperature for June on Thursday, reaching 36.7 C in south west England.
Housing adaptation poses policy challenge
The heat has highlighted the challenge facing residents in Paris and London as temperatures rise and homes built to retain warmth struggle in hotter conditions.
Governments have no quick solutions to adapting ageing housing stock as budgets remain tight and the issues are complex. The installation of air conditioning remains divisive because increased energy use can add to global warming and place additional strain on power grids.
Economic and health concerns grow
As global warming makes extreme weather more likely and temperatures in Europe rise faster than on other continents, the effects of overheating homes extend beyond discomfort.
Zachary said the heat had made it difficult to work and focus during his internship in digital marketing.
Analysis published this week by the Mayor of London found that 1 million homes in the city could be at risk of overheating, with implications for health, energy use and productivity.
