Heat is no stranger to many cities around the world. But even these places are now finding it too hot.

The daily rhythm of urban life is changing in cities such as Dubai, where summer temperatures can now push past 50°C (122°F). The Middle East is warming faster than the global average. In response, authorities have opened floodlit public beaches, which remain open overnight.

In France, Paris and Toulouse have begun keeping parks, gardens and swimming areas open into the night. In Italy and Spain, tourists are increasingly exploring Rome and Seville after sunset. In Seoul, South Korea, more than 120 public libraries now stay open until 10 p.m. to act as climate shelters.

Despite these examples, there's little evidence of a wider shift. Authorities in many cities are not yet actively planning for a future where extreme temperatures make afternoons unpleasant or dangerous.

link to open access paper https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-025-00297-7