The project R.A.C.E.S. is mainly targeted to address the issues
of climate change and sustainability, with a particular focus on
urban climate and cities mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Climate, in fact, is changing faster in cities - representing
2/3 of the Italian population – where the effects are more
evident: increasing summer average temperatures (above 40 degree
Celsius); decreasing precipitations; heat waves phenomena. All
these effects are enhanced in populous areas by the “heat island
effect” due to heavy traffic, heating and conditioning system,
building expansion, asphalt capturing solar radiation and
blocking soil transpiration making urban areas hotter. While
conducting a communication campaign on climate change based on
accurate and scientific information, R.A.C.E.S. will also focus
on the issues of climate adaptation and mitigation which arises
from the specific urban environments analysed, in order to help
local audiences to actively change their lifestyles behaviours
and to participate