BUILDING HEAT NAVIGATOR
Which buildings face the greatest heat risk, and which measures can keep them functioning?
The Building Heat Navigator is a digital platform for cities, businesses and welfare organisations managing social facilities or larger housing portfolios. It combines building data with climate information, thermal modelling and economic assessment.
From building data to investment decisions
Enrich existing data
The analysis starts with the building and site data already available. The platform brings these data together and enriches them with information that supports a more precise assessment, such as building use, occupancy and existing heat protection measures.
This creates a clearer picture of which people and functions at each site are affected by heat.
From outdoor climate to indoor impacts
The thermal building model translates local outdoor temperatures and building characteristics into expected indoor temperatures. This shows how heat may affect a building’s operations.
The platform translates these impacts into functional downtime: for example, lost learning, care or working days. This makes the effects measurable in a way that supports planning and investment decisions.
Compare measures digitally
For each site, scenarios with and without adaptation measures can be compared. Options may include shading, night ventilation and greening.
The platform compares expected impacts with investment and follow-up costs. The AdaptationReturn shows how the benefits of a measure compare with its costs. Potential trade-offs and maladaptation risks can also be considered.
How it works
Enrich existing data
Bring building and site data together with use, occupancy and existing heat protection measures.
From outdoor climate to indoor impacts
Translate local outdoor temperatures and building characteristics into expected indoor temperatures.
Measure functional downtime
Make heat impacts measurable as lost learning, care or working days.
Compare measures digitally
Compare scenarios with and without measures, including expected impacts, costs and AdaptationReturn.
What the platform shows
Heat exposure and risks across a building portfolio
People and essential building functions affected
Modelled functional downtime with and without measures
Comparisons of suitable measures, costs and benefits
A transparent basis for prioritisation and investment decisions
In practice: 55 daycare centres in Worms
For the City of Worms, the digital decision environment brings together site data, feedback from daycare centre managers and information on ongoing measures. This allows the city to compare heat protection needs and potential measures across all 55 sites.
Start with the existing portfolio
Existing building and site data provide the starting point. The first step is to review which data are available and what additional information would support the desired level of analysis.