Paris faces a race against the climate clock, with forecasts of extreme heat that could push temperatures toward 50°C and shift the city toward a climate more like Seville in the south of Spain. This reality calls for a broad rethink of the urban fabric: large-scale greening, smarter water use, and a significant reduction in asphalt, as explained by Dan Lert, a member of the Paris Ecological Transition Council.
Lert spoke to Efe about looming heat events, noting that Paris is expected to experience peaks around 50°C and heat waves that push the city toward a Sevillian climate in the years ahead. This comes after a record-breaking end to the summer in France. The climate team in charge of water, energy, and cooling emphasizes that dense population and mineralized architecture amplify the heat burden in the city.
The latest photo captions highlight Paris as it readies for a major shift. Paris is preparing for a transformation in response to heat, with the goal of lowering urban temperatures and increasing livability during heat waves.
The city’s historical peak remains 42.6°C, recorded in July 2019, while the summer of 2022 saw the most hot days on record. Yet research from major climate authorities suggests future summers may bring fewer heatwaves overall, closer to an average of around 34 per year, even as the intensity of heat remains a concern. In this context, Paris has little choice but to adapt and lower ambient temperatures to stay livable during heat waves.
To meet this challenge, which requires substantial investment, Paris plans to plant 170,000 trees by 2026 and to convert parking spaces into green spaces with a broader green infrastructure horizon aimed at 2030, including a plan to reduce asphalt by about 40%. The aim is to turn a city once dominated by radiant heat into a more balanced, cooler urban environment.
“The goal is to move away from a radiator-like city toward an oasis,” explains Lert. Another major focus is improving the insulation of buildings, especially where heat tolerance is a concern. Historic preservation remains a consideration, particularly for Haussmann-era architecture, but better insulation is crucial as high heat peaks become more frequent.
As Lert notes, tin roofs contribute significantly to heat absorption. Profound insulation is needed to mitigate temperatures on roof surfaces that can reach frightening levels during heat waves. Some public buildings have already adopted lighter roof colors or reflective coatings to shave several degrees off interior temperatures.
Despite the push for better insulation, regulatory and heritage protections can slow upgrades. City planners are calling on architects to rethink urban doctrine so that Paris can better withstand heat while maintaining its iconic visual identity, including its historic roofscape.
Heat-related mortality among vulnerable populations is a key concern, particularly for the elderly living in poorly insulated housing. Lert notes that measures must shift to adapt the city’s rhythm, making parks usable at night and protecting homeless residents from heat as urban life continues through warm hours.
The city is also looking to practical cooling measures: more water features, shade structures, and cooling technologies across neighborhoods. These initiatives are being accelerated in the lead-up to major events in the city, with ongoing improvements planned for the near term.
Beyond the public realm, city leadership envisions water storage and purification initiatives that could support cooling and recreation in summer, including access to the Seine for bathing during large open-water events. While rainfall and water quality pose challenges, committed plans for large cisterns and water infrastructure aim to enable safer, cooler summers in the near future. There is confidence that these projects will proceed, reinforcing Paris as a more breathable, water-friendly metropolis.
In sum, Paris is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy to transform heat into a manageable, everyday reality. The plan blends large-scale greening, architectural upgrades, and thoughtful urban design to create a city that remains vibrant and equitable even as temperatures rise. The emphasis is on practical, scalable changes that honor the city’s heritage while delivering measurable improvements for residents and visitors alike.