From 01 April to 31 July 2024, it was once again time to participate in the Citizen Science Award 2024 of the OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation. TU Wien Bibliothek and the future.lab Research Center were among the eight selected projects with their “Urban Heat Stories” initiative. Our experience with the numerous registrations shows that urban heat is a highly relevant topic that significantly concerns society. It is very encouraging to see such great interest in actively contributing to new solutions.

In collaboration with students from OMS Pfeilgasse, BRG6, and Diefenbach Gymnasium, the social impacts of the urban heat island effect on young people were studied. Following a joint mapping and qualitative interviews among the students, air quality and temperature at their everyday locations were measured in cooperation with the NGO luftdaten.at. Additionally, infrared cameras were used to capture thermal images of the surfaces at these locations.

The Data Visualization Space (DAVIS) at TU Wien Bibliothek was utilized in a subsequent workshop to visualise the measurements, infrared images, and evaluated interviews. During a collective "exploratory flight" in a 3D model of the school environment, the locations were revisited in a virtual setting, and discussions were held to identify the causes of increased or decreased heat sensation in specific areas.

The TU Wien team extends heartfelt thanks to all participating students and teachers for their involvement! The project and the winners will be honored on October 24, 2024, at the Young Science Congress, opens an external URL in a new window by OeAD.