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Prague City Officials Introduce Interactive Cooling Map to Combat Rising Urban Temperatures

Prague city officials have launched an interactive online map to help residents and visitors navigate hundreds of cooling locations across the Czech capital. The tool identifies drinking fountains, misting stations, and decorative fountains, such as a new 16-jet fountain in Wenceslas Square. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to mitigate the urban heat island effect, where buildings and roads trap heat long after sunset. Climate researcher Pavel Zahradníček noted that central Prague is warming faster than the surrounding countryside due to climate change and urban infrastructure. To complement the water features, the city is investing in greenery, with climate adaptation specialist Jan Richter emphasizing that mature trees serve as the most effective natural air conditioning. Simultaneously, the Prague Zoo is adapting to extreme temperatures by providing tons of ice to its animals. Zoo spokesperson Filip Mašek reported that polar bears Aleut and Gregor enjoyed rolling in ice cubes to stay cool during a heat wave that saw the Czech Republic reach its hottest day on record.

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