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“Heat means more than it is hot and I sweat”: Recognising intersectional experiences of migrants in heat adaptation planning in Vienna

Mayr, Michael Klaus LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract (German)
Extreme Hitze ist eine der tödlichsten Folgen des Klimawandels, wobei städtische Gebiete besonders exponiert sind. Vulnerabilität gegenüber urbaner Hitze unterscheidet sich zwischen gesellschaftlichen Gruppen und ist geprägt durch sozio-strukturelle Benachteiligungen. Diese Arbeit übernimmt ein intersektionales Verständnis von Vulnerabilität, um qualitativ zu untersuchen, wie Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund Hitze in Wien, Österreich, erleben und sich daran anpassen. Im März 2026 wurden dreizehn semi-strukturierte Interviews mit in Wien lebenden Migrant*innen geführt, um deren gelebte Erfahrungen in den Vordergrund zu rücken. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, wie intersektionale Identitäten Vulnerabilität gegenüber urbaner Hitze beeinflussen, und... (More)
Extreme Hitze ist eine der tödlichsten Folgen des Klimawandels, wobei städtische Gebiete besonders exponiert sind. Vulnerabilität gegenüber urbaner Hitze unterscheidet sich zwischen gesellschaftlichen Gruppen und ist geprägt durch sozio-strukturelle Benachteiligungen. Diese Arbeit übernimmt ein intersektionales Verständnis von Vulnerabilität, um qualitativ zu untersuchen, wie Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund Hitze in Wien, Österreich, erleben und sich daran anpassen. Im März 2026 wurden dreizehn semi-strukturierte Interviews mit in Wien lebenden Migrant*innen geführt, um deren gelebte Erfahrungen in den Vordergrund zu rücken. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, wie intersektionale Identitäten Vulnerabilität gegenüber urbaner Hitze beeinflussen, und betonen Schwachstellen in den städtischen Hitzeanpassungsstrategien bezüglich Verteilungs-, Verfahrens- und Anerkennungsgerechtigkeit. Die Anerkennung der differentiellen Vulnerabilität von Migrant*innen ist unerlässlich für inklusive und gerechte Anpassung. (Less)
Abstract
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest consequences of climate change, with urban areas particularly exposed. Vulnerability to urban heat differs among members of society and is shaped by socio-structural disadvantages. This thesis adopts an intersectional understanding of vulnerability to qualitatively explore how people with a migration background experience and adapt to heat in Vienna, Austria. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with migrants living in Vienna in March 2026 to emphasise their lived experiences. The results show how people’s intersectional identities shape their vulnerability to urban heat and highlight blind spots in the city’s heat protection practices regarding distributional, procedural, and... (More)
Extreme heat is one of the deadliest consequences of climate change, with urban areas particularly exposed. Vulnerability to urban heat differs among members of society and is shaped by socio-structural disadvantages. This thesis adopts an intersectional understanding of vulnerability to qualitatively explore how people with a migration background experience and adapt to heat in Vienna, Austria. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with migrants living in Vienna in March 2026 to emphasise their lived experiences. The results show how people’s intersectional identities shape their vulnerability to urban heat and highlight blind spots in the city’s heat protection practices regarding distributional, procedural, and recognitional climate justice. Recognising migrants’ differential vulnerability is necessary for inclusive and just adaptation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mayr, Michael Klaus LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Urban Heat, Climate Extremes, Vulnerability, Intersectionality, Climate Justice, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:021
language
English
id
9229109
date added to LUP
2026-06-05 16:03:25
date last changed
2026-06-05 16:03:25
@misc{9229109,
  abstract     = {{Extreme heat is one of the deadliest consequences of climate change, with urban areas particularly exposed. Vulnerability to urban heat differs among members of society and is shaped by socio-structural disadvantages. This thesis adopts an intersectional understanding of vulnerability to qualitatively explore how people with a migration background experience and adapt to heat in Vienna, Austria. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with migrants living in Vienna in March 2026 to emphasise their lived experiences. The results show how people’s intersectional identities shape their vulnerability to urban heat and highlight blind spots in the city’s heat protection practices regarding distributional, procedural, and recognitional climate justice. Recognising migrants’ differential vulnerability is necessary for inclusive and just adaptation.}},
  author       = {{Mayr, Michael Klaus}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{“Heat means more than it is hot and I sweat”: Recognising intersectional experiences of migrants in heat adaptation planning in Vienna}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}