Developing a nature-based heat health planning framework: a call for transdisciplinary collaboration to mitigate and adapt to heat extremes and protect vulnerable populations in urban environments

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, posing significant threats to public health by exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. While extreme heat may temporarily restrict certain outdoor physical activities, its overall impact on human wellbeing is complex. It affects not only physical health but also mental wellbeing, social connectedness, and access to restorative natural environments. This highlights the urgent need for adaptation strategies. This commentary calls for the development of a Nature-Based Heat Health Planning framework, emphasising the need for transdisciplinary collaboration between health professionals, urban planners, landscape architects, ecologists, and community stakeholders. Nature-based solutions (NBS), such as increasing tree cover to provide shaded urban spaces, offer a promising approach to mitigating heat extremes and promoting outdoor physical activity. However, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of these solutions requires careful selection of resilient plant species that can withstand changing climatic conditions. Transdisciplinary knowledge is key in guiding these solutions to address heat-related health risks and promote wellbeing, particularly for at-high-risk groups, like children, the elderly, and those living with chronic diseases. This commentary stresses the need for evidence-based, integrated strategies that improve urban resilience, promote physical activity, and protect vulnerable populations in the light of climate change.