RESTinHEAT · Multispecies ethnographies of outdoor rest in hot climates

RESTinHEAT aims to transform public open spaces (POS) into inclusive, climate-resilient shelters where humans and more-than-humans can rest safely during heat extremes. It frames outdoor rest as both climate exposure and a heat adaptation practice, with implications for health and equity. Knowledge on rest is fragmented in urban studies, often reduced to “inactivity”, centered on humans, and neglects lived experiences. RESTinHEAT addresses these gaps by foregrounding rest and introducing a multispecies perspective into climate-responsive urban design. The project has four objectives: (1) to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of outdoor rest and vernacular cooling practices in overheated POS; (2) to examine municipal responses to heat; (3) to co-create knowledge of rest in heat; and (4) to translate findings into multilingual urban design and policy recommendations for inclusive, climate-sensitive POS. Comparative research in Barcelona, Diyarbakir, and Melbourne will apply Urban Diaries (with visual ethnography, structured observation, and behaviour mapping), Participatory Photo Mapping, policy review, expert interviews, and spatial analysis. Working across diverse yet similarly heat-vulnerable contexts, the project will generate evidence on rest, cooling practices, and institutional responses, yielding actionable guidance for inclusive public space design. The fellowship is hosted by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (return phase) and Monash University (outgoing phase), with a secondment at the University of the Sunshine Coast and a short visit to Diyarbakir Metropolitan Municipality. RESTinHEAT will deliver peer-reviewed publications and transferable policy outputs, strengthen the fellow’s methodological and interdisciplinary skills, foster cross-sectoral collaboration, and build capacity to bridge academia, policy, and practice to respond to urgent challenges of heat extremes, rest, equity, and resilience in cities, informing future urban strategies.