(PHOTO) In the sun, the car heated up to 85 degrees: Which Maribor street turned out to be the hottest?

Temperatures in Maribor reached extreme levels during the recent heatwave, with some surfaces exceeding 85°C. The city’s cycling network conducted detailed measurements on two main streets, Smetanova and Koroška, to assess how urban design and vegetation affect local microclimates. These findings highlight the urgent need for more green spaces and shaded areas in urban planning, especially as heatwaves become increasingly frequent due to climate change. Measurements were carried out between 13 and 14 on August 4, 2026, when air temperatures recorded by the Slovenian Environment Agency (ARSO) stood at 36°C. On Smetanova Street, the readings revealed significant differences in temperature along the same street. At the Faculty of Engineering, temperatures were noticeably lower than just a few hundred meters further down near the Technical Faculties. This variation was attributed to a combination of narrow streets, building shade, and dense tree coverage, which effectively reduce surface heating. The data confirmed that existing urban vegetation plays a crucial role in mitigating heat stress for residents and visitors. On Koroška Street, however, the situation was different. It emerged as the hottest among the three analyzed routes, Gosposvet, Smetana, and Koroška. The primary reason cited was the low number of trees and the high proportion of exposed asphalt and concrete surfaces. Despite surrounding tall buildings, these structures did not provide sufficient protection from direct sunlight. The results reinforced the perception of Koroška Street as one of the most heat-stressed urban areas in the city. Among the notable findings were the temperatures of specific surfaces. Asphalt measured up to 57.4°C, while bus stops on Koroška Street showed a dramatic difference. One stop, located in direct sunlight, reached nearly 55°C, whereas the adjacent stop, shaded by a building, registered around 37°C. The 20°C difference highlighted the critical importance of shading in public spaces. Even more alarming was the measurement taken on a parked car, which reached a staggering 85°C under direct sun exposure. These figures underscore how quickly urban surfaces can heat up during peak daylight hours. Another key observation was the rapid rate at which surface temperatures could rise. Within an hour, the same surfaces could increase by up to five degrees Celsius. This finding emphasized how swiftly urban environments can become dangerously hot under intense solar radiation and the necessity of providing adequate shade in public areas. The measurements thus serve as a clear warning about the potential risks posed by rising temperatures in cities. The project, part of the “Cycling Under Canopies” initiative, aims to raise awareness about the importance of shade, trees, and green spaces in urban planning. By analyzing different sections of the city's cycling infrastructure, the group hopes to develop practical recommendations for creating more comfortable and sustainable urban environments. Their work includes comparing shaded and exposed sections, documenting canopy gaps, and conducting field comparisons using simple temperature measurements and visual representations of thermal variations between asphalt, compacted surfaces, greenery, and shaded areas. The analysis will focus on three key cycling connections in Maribor: Koroška Street, Smetanova Street, and Gosposvet Street. These routes connect similar starting points and destinations but differ significantly in their tree density, shading, and spatial layout. The goal is to produce actionable proposals for more shaded, green, and pleasant cycling corridors that are resilient to both heat and climate change. The project underscores the growing urgency of adapting urban infrastructure to the realities of a warming world.