COOL down: The role of social capital in enhancing adaptation to extreme heat events in the CITY of Vienna

The COOLCITY project focuses on strengthening social capital in the urban area of Vienna through social innovations, particularly during extreme heat events. Social capital is defined as a measure of cohesion e.g. in a district. It is composed of the density of networks and associations, the willingness of people to help each other and the degree of mutual trust and cooperation. Social innovations are concrete measures, services or processes, which lead to new or improved capabilities and relationships. The aim of the transdisciplinary research project COOLCITY is to improve community building and social inclusion in Vienna, to establish active citizenship and to strengthen trust for better cooperation between politics, science and the society in Vienna. As such adaptation to extreme heat events can be supported and sustainable development in the city guaranteed.