[Social vulnerability in climate change effect of a large city in Northern Italy: case study of Turin (Piedmont Region) within the Climactions project].

Abstract

Background: urban areas face growing challenges from climate change, especially in the form of extreme heat events that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Turin, a large city in Northern Italy, in past years has developed a policy framework integrating health equity into urban planning through the "Health in All Policies" approach.

Objectives: to assess climate-related health risks in Turin by identifying spatial patterns of social vulnerability associated with Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), with the goal of guiding targeted adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Design: cross-sectional ecological risk assessment using the IPCC framework, integrating data on hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.

Setting and participants: the analysis focused on the municipality of Turin (847,237 residents), with a specific emphasis on individuals aged over 65 years. The spatial unit of analysis was the census tract (N. 3,852).

Main outcome measures: an index of climate risk was developed for each census tract by aggregating normalized indicators for climatic hazard (UHI intensity), exposure (elderly population), and vulnerability (socioeconomic, demographic, health, and environmental indicators).

Results: the analysis revealed significant spatial disparities in climate risk across the city. Northern and peripheral neighbourhoods showed the highest levels of social vulnerability and climate risk, while green and less densely populated areas displayed lower risk. The approach enabled the identification of high-priority areas for urban health interventions.

Conclusions: the study demonstrates the feasibility and policy relevance of applying a structured climate health risk assessment framework at the urban level. The methodology supports evidence-based planning for climate adaptation, helping local authorities target actions to protect vulnerable populations and reduce health inequalities. The results contribute to ongoing efforts in Turin to integrate climate resilience into citywide health and social policy agendas.