In addition to developing Heat Action Plans, the pilot cities of Hajdúböszörmény, Maribor, Weiz, and Worms carried out practical interventions designed to protect vulnerable population groups and generate knowledge for transfer to other European municipalities. The measures and implementation processes were documented in a joint pilot actions concept to support replication.
In Hajdúböszörmény, 47 “green islands” were planned and implemented across 20 public locations, selected based on heat maps and stakeholder input from citizen engagement activities. These installations provided shaded seating through vegetated wooden structures and were complemented by tree planting to enhance long-term cooling effects.
In Maribor, two pergolas were constructed at kindergarten sites to improve thermal comfort in outdoor and building-adjacent areas. One structure provided shading for a south-facing façade, while the other covered a sandbox area. Different plant species were tested (kiwi and white Isabella vine) to assess their suitability for shading, and locally sourced wood was used for construction.
In Weiz, a pilot focused on assessing the feasibility of an innovative, solar-assisted cooling system for buildings. The system was installed at a nursing home, where operational performance and energy data were monitored to enable comparison with conventional cooling solutions and to evaluate its applicability for broader municipal use.
In Worms, the pilot action focused on establishing long-term governance and communication structures to raise awareness of heat and health risks. A stakeholder network was developed and maintained to support the co-creation and implementation of a district-level heat reduction concept in a particularly affected urban area.
Overall, the pilot actions demonstrated practical, scalable approaches that combined infrastructural, technological, and governance measures, providing a transferable foundation for municipalities seeking to implement effective heat adaptation strategies.