
So, it’s a hot day, but you’ve got plenty of places to go. Perhaps you’re searching for some ice cream, or a nice, refreshing swimming pool. Whatever the reason, if you’re walking or cycling around the city, you can beat the heat by using a digital map to find the coolest way to get to your destination. This tool is called Cool Routes, and it shows streets and spaces around the City of Melbourne that are relatively cooler. The map also features useful information like the locations of water fountains. This map works for areas around the CBD, Southbank and the City North, including Kensington, Parkville and Carlton.
Find Cool Routes around Melbourne with the help of a digital map
This tool was created to help people travel around the city more safely and comfortably, especially as heatwaves become more frequent and intense due to climate change. Cool Routes uses spatial analysis and heat data, and considers the time of day as well as the architecture of the city and surrounding areas to suggest the best walking or cycling route. This way, you can travel around and be protected from the sun and the heat as much as possible.
You can switch between a classic street map, or use a thermal comfort map. The thermal comfort scale takes into account different surface types and the accumulation of solar radiation across the day. Areas in red include surfaces such as concrete or asphalt, which have been exposed to long periods of direct sunlight. In the middle of the scale, you’ll find areas in yellow, which includes grassy areas exposed to long periods of sun, or concrete or asphalt that have been exposed to the sun, but not for a long time. The coolest area of the scale is in blue, and that points out grassed areas or areas under trees, that have received little or no direct sunlight.
The tool also has pins to point out any green and blue infrastructure around the city. This refers to areas around Melbourne that are helping to manage the impacts of climate change. Think urban gardens, green roofs, stormwater harvesting systems and more.
Around the map, you’ll also find plenty of blue pins, which point out water fountains in case you get thirsty.
Keen to try it out? Click here to start planning your journey on Cool Routes.