As our cities get hotter the inequities embedded in them are intensifying rapidly. A 45C day in Sydney’s inner city isn’t fun, but residents of the affluent suburbs close to the centre tend to live in well-appointed, air-conditioned houses and apartments, as well as enjoying easy access to beaches, parks, pools and libraries where they can find refuge from the heat. But a 45C day in the inner city is likely to be a 47C or a 48C day in the outer west, and lower levels of socioeconomic advantage mean these even more extreme temperatures are often being endured in lower-quality houses, with less effective ventilation and insulation. Greater dependence upon rental accommodation and social housing also means less control over the amenities available: air-conditioning is often only provided if a landlord agrees to install it. And even where air-conditioning is available, the expense of running it is prohibitive for many people.
Guardian 14th June 2021 read more »