A German-developed digital application is helping pedestrians navigate extreme summer temperatures by identifying the coolest and most shaded walking routes through cities, offering a practical solution as Europe experiences increasingly severe heatwaves. Developed by the non-profit Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT), the app uses advanced mapping and solar data to guide users away from heat-exposed streets. The innovation comes as Europe, considered the world's fastest-warming continent, continues to face record-breaking temperatures and growing concerns over heat-related health risks.

The application currently operates in more than 80 major German cities and is designed to reduce direct sun exposure during daily commutes. Users simply enter their destination, and the system calculates a route that maximises shade based on the sun's position at that specific time of day. The app relies on HeiGIT's open-source routing platform, openrouteservice, combined with OpenStreetMap data and a custom-built Solar Index that evaluates the level of sunlight on different roads and pathways throughout the day.

Because the sun's position changes continuously, the recommended route also changes accordingly. A commuter travelling between the same two locations in the morning and afternoon may receive entirely different directions, with the application favouring tree-lined streets, narrow lanes, or other shaded areas over shorter but heat-exposed routes. According to HeiGIT, the technology is intended not only to improve pedestrian comfort but also to reduce the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures during heatwaves.

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The developers believe the application can also serve as a valuable planning tool for local governments. By analysing areas where pedestrians consistently struggle to find shaded routes, municipalities can identify neighbourhoods most affected by urban heat and prioritise measures such as tree-planting, green corridors, and improved public infrastructure. HeiGIT officials say the project has evolved from a research initiative in Heidelberg into a practical climate-adaptation solution capable of supporting data-driven urban planning.

Climate adaptation experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that heat increasingly influences how people move through cities. Officials involved in implementing the application in German cities such as Worms say the routing data can help identify streets lacking adequate shade and guide future investments in climate-resilient infrastructure. The project also highlights how rising temperatures are reshaping everyday behaviour, with many residents choosing alternative transport options, limiting outdoor activity, and adjusting daily routines to avoid peak heat.

Having expanded across all 16 German federal states, HeiGIT is now exploring opportunities to introduce the technology to other European countries and eventually to cities worldwide. The organisation says collaboration with local authorities will be essential to ensure accurate mapping and route recommendations in different regions. Developers believe the application could also benefit countries such as India, where prolonged heatwaves and rising urban temperatures increasingly pose significant public health and mobility challenges.

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