"Financial Times": Gulf countries' experience in coping with summer heat inspires Europe - Sarmad

Exceptional heatwaves sweeping across Europe have spurred growing interest in solutions developed by Gulf states over the years to cope with high temperatures, ranging from cooled walkways and air-conditioned spaces to technologies designed to cool open-air environments.

The Financial Times reported in an extensive article on the Gulf states’ experiences in adapting to extreme heat, emphasizing that they invested long before the recent heatwaves in Europe in homes, offices, and infrastructure to help residents cope with summer heat.

Oscar Brous, a lecturer in urban climate and health at University College London, stated that the experiences of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cities should attract Europe’s attention when designing new urban projects, given rising temperatures and the increasing need for practical solutions to adapt to climate change.

The report noted that Dubai has turned shopping malls into a solution for engaging in sports activities during the summer months, away from external temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius. Runners gather inside air-conditioned malls from 6 a.m. to participate in races covering distances up to 10 kilometers.

The emirate launched the “Mallathon” initiative for running inside shopping malls in 2025, while Dubai has invested over the past decade in cooled walkways that facilitate pedestrian mobility without requiring people to step directly into the heat.

In Abu Dhabi, a 660-meter covered and air-conditioned walkway was opened this year in Khalidiya Park. The adjacent King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Park features a “mini forest” of drought-resistant Ghaf trees, along with an open walkway equipped with cooling systems.

Earlier this year, Qatar unveiled the 450-meter “Crystal Walk” in Doha, which relies on pumping cold air through floor vents, alongside artificial metal tree structures that help provide shade and retain cool air.