Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Prioritizing Vulnerable Groups and Exposed Areas for Heat Adaptation Outdoors - A Case Study of Linköping Municipality, Sweden

Åkerlund, Maja LU (2026) VBRM15 20261
Division of Risk Management and Societal Safety
Abstract
Vulnerable people in cities will be impacted by rising temperatures and heat waves. This study explores how increased temperatures can impact the health of children and elderly to better prioritize and plan outdoor heat adaptation. Interviews, observations and secondary data was used to understand the case study and explore the research questions. The result found several vulnerability factors and mapped both vulnerability and heat. A thematic analysis found 5 themes and 1 subtheme: (1) Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (2) Changes in Behaviour and Movement During Increased Temperatures, (3) Places and Infrastructure, (4) Factors Influencing Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (4.1) Attitudes, Emotions and Opinions, (5) Measures Needed to Manage... (More)
Vulnerable people in cities will be impacted by rising temperatures and heat waves. This study explores how increased temperatures can impact the health of children and elderly to better prioritize and plan outdoor heat adaptation. Interviews, observations and secondary data was used to understand the case study and explore the research questions. The result found several vulnerability factors and mapped both vulnerability and heat. A thematic analysis found 5 themes and 1 subtheme: (1) Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (2) Changes in Behaviour and Movement During Increased Temperatures, (3) Places and Infrastructure, (4) Factors Influencing Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (4.1) Attitudes, Emotions and Opinions, (5) Measures Needed to Manage Heat. Observations showed many being active and outdoors. The study concludes that the health of children and elderly will be negatively impacted both by staying inside and by being exposed outdoors. Children are in general more exposed and are dependent on adults' adaptability. Elderly can adapt better but often have more additional risk factors. Three districts were identified as more exposed and vulnerable, however due to different shares of risk population they require different approaches. A prioritization of the areas depends on what is valued more: protecting the most people, the more vulnerable, or adapting the warmest area. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Åkerlund, Maja LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM15 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Heatwaves, Increased Temperatures, Elderly, Children, Vulnerable Groups, Heat adaptation, Green Infrastructure, Green Spaces, Positive Health, Behavior, Movement, Case Study, Linköping
language
English
id
9251329
date added to LUP
2026-09-17 13:10:04
date last changed
2026-09-17 13:10:04
@misc{9251329,
  abstract     = {{Vulnerable people in cities will be impacted by rising temperatures and heat waves. This study explores how increased temperatures can impact the health of children and elderly to better prioritize and plan outdoor heat adaptation. Interviews, observations and secondary data was used to understand the case study and explore the research questions. The result found several vulnerability factors and mapped both vulnerability and heat. A thematic analysis found 5 themes and 1 subtheme: (1) Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (2) Changes in Behaviour and Movement During Increased Temperatures, (3) Places and Infrastructure, (4) Factors Influencing Outdoor Behaviour and Movement, (4.1) Attitudes, Emotions and Opinions, (5) Measures Needed to Manage Heat. Observations showed many being active and outdoors. The study concludes that the health of children and elderly will be negatively impacted both by staying inside and by being exposed outdoors. Children are in general more exposed and are dependent on adults' adaptability. Elderly can adapt better but often have more additional risk factors. Three districts were identified as more exposed and vulnerable, however due to different shares of risk population they require different approaches. A prioritization of the areas depends on what is valued more: protecting the most people, the more vulnerable, or adapting the warmest area.}},
  author       = {{Åkerlund, Maja}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Prioritizing Vulnerable Groups and Exposed Areas for Heat Adaptation Outdoors - A Case Study of Linköping Municipality, Sweden}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}