Cities around the world are increasingly exposed to extreme heat, posing serious risks to public health, infrastructure, and overall livability. Yet many local governments still face challenges in accessing the localized data and analytical tools needed to plan effective cooling strategies. Developed by the World Resources Institute, Cool Cities Lab is a new open-source platform designed to address this gap—helping cities assess hyperlocal heat risks and identify the most impactful interventions.

Co-designed with city officials and built on globally accessible data, the platform enables users to pinpoint priority areas, test solutions such as urban trees and cool roofs, and generate clear visualizations to support planning, investment, and stakeholder engagement. This session will offer a practical look at how cities can use data to inform decision-making and strengthen long-term climate resilience.