Extreme heat reduces and reshapes urban mobility

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• Extreme heat poses a growing challenge in Southern Europe, exacerbated by climate change and demographic shifts.
• Existing research on heat-related mobility is limited in scope, lacking a comprehensive understanding of population-level adaptations.
• Gaps exist in understanding how diverse social groups adjust their daily movement patterns during heatwaves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of extreme heat on population mobility using large-scale mobile phone data.
• To investigate how mobility patterns change across different demographics and activities during hot weather.
• To assess the socioeconomic implications of heat-induced mobility changes in urban environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized mobile phone data from 13 million individuals in Spain, representing 27% of the population.
• Employed passive and active mobile network connection data for comprehensive mobility tracking.
• Stratified analysis by age, gender, economic class, and activity type to identify differential impacts.

Main Results:

• Overall mobility decreased by up to 10% on hot days, with a 20% reduction during peak afternoon temperatures.
• Older adults significantly reduced travel for work and other activities.
• Lower-income individuals showed less ability to avoid work, and social mixing declined, particularly in city centers.

Conclusions:

• Extreme heat substantially alters daily mobility patterns across the population.
• Vulnerable groups face disproportionate impacts, highlighting socioeconomic disparities in heat adaptation.
• Reduced urban activity and interaction due to heat threaten the economic and social dynamism of cities.