Taiwan to launch cooling center map amid rising temperatures

台灣將推出高溫防護地圖應對氣溫上升

Initiative to guide public to air-conditioned and shaded spaces


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Environment will launch a cooling center map in July to help the public mitigate rising temperatures.

The map is set to allow the public to locate nearby spaces with air conditioning or cooling facilities. The initiative also aims to help individuals find shaded spaces outdoors during the summer, per CNA.

National Cheng Kung University Architecture Professor Lin Tzu-ping (林子平) emphasized the importance of shade, good airflow, and water features in outdoor spaces. He said that these areas should be well-connected to promote urban cooling effectively.

Lin cited Singapore as an example, where shaded walkways are designed within 400 meters of metro stations to encourage public transportation use. He noted that in Taipei, the Zhongshan MRT Station is surrounded by shaded areas in Xinzhongshan Linear Park, and the sidewalk from Taipei Music Center to Nangang Station also features covered walkways.

However, Lin added that Taiwan’s transportation planning remains largely car-centric, requiring extensive paved surfaces such as roads and surface parking lots. He said this approach reduces space for pedestrians and limits opportunities to plant trees and provide shade.

Environmental Minister Peng Chi-meng (彭啟明) said the ministry will also form an alliance for extreme heat response on Tuesday with local governments and businesses. He noted the group will develop targeted heat response strategies across various sectors, including labor, sports, agriculture, and fisheries.

Lin said that although the Central Weather Administration sets 36 C as the heat warning level, industries experience the heat in different ways. In farming, high temperatures can reduce milk production, while warmer sea and pond water can impact fish and seafood farming.

Lin said that Taiwan is not well-suited to adopt a universal "high temperature day off" policy. Instead, he advised the government to implement heat protection measures tailored to different groups. For example, the labor ministry has issued guidelines to protect outdoor workers during extreme heat.

Taiwan experienced its warmest year on record last year, with an average temperature of nearly 25 C, the highest in 127 years. A report by the National Science and Technology Council and the environmental ministry indicated the duration of high temperatures above 35 C in Taiwan has significantly increased over the past 30 years, with these events now starting in April and lasting through November.

The increase in temperatures has been accompanied by a rise in heat-related medical visits. There were 1,846 heat-related medical visits from June to August 2023. The number rose to 2,667 during the same period last year, with August recording the highest number of cases.