Health under heat: assessment of overheating in Cairo’s low- income housing

Acknowledging the growing risks of climate change and the limited evidence from the Global South on its effects on health, this study assesses the impacts of climate-induced overheating on thermal comfort and health in low-income housing. It examines correla- tions between construction, occupant behavior, and overheating, focusing on vulnerable groups. Ten dwellings in Al-Asmarat, a resettlement project in Cairo, were investigated. Temperatures and humidity levels were recorded during summer months, while being mapped against activities, health, and thermal comfort according to CIBSE benchmarks. Building surveys and occupants’ questionnaires were conducted. Results revealed persis- tent overheating, with indoor temperatures exceeding outdoor conditions by up to 3°C for 75% of the monitored period. Women and children showed greater health vulnerability. Dwelling’s location, orientation, and floor levels shaped the risk of overheating. Behavioral adaptations provided improvement but fell short of mitigating physical constraints. The findings demonstrate correlations between overheating and health outcomes for low- income populations.