AUTHOR=Tuomimaa Julia , Käyhkö Janina , Malmström Alexandra , Juhola Sirkku 
  
TITLE=Exploring the coherence of urban heat adaptation plans
  
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Climate
  
VOLUME=Volume 7 - 2025
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2025.1741647
  
DOI=10.3389/fclim.2025.1741647
  
ISSN=2624-9553
  
ABSTRACT=IntroductionAdaptation to heat is urgent given that the duration, frequency, and intensity of heat waves are increasing rapidly. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the actions undertaken by cities in terms of heat adaptation and how coherent adaptation is across the stages of the policy cycle.MethodsBy conducting a policy document analysis we analyze how urban heat responses are linked to adaptation scope and beneficiaries and examine how different response types are monitored through indicators by exploring the adaptation policy cycle in four nodes: (i) scoping, (ii) defining measures, (iii) implementation, and (iv) monitoring and evaluation in 10 advanced cities located in heat-prone areas.ResultsOur analysis shows that most of our case cities plan adaptation to increase the population’s adaptive capacity, while the economic sector is prioritized less in adaptation measures. While the policy documents address in detail the implementation of actions; there is less clarity on indicator implementation and targeting of monitoring and evaluation.DiscussionThis study highlights the need for iterative, coherent adaptation policy planning and indicator utilization to enhance adaptation outcomes and guide future research and policy development.