Navigating Green Public Policy From the Intersection of Urban Heat Islands and Climate Vulnerability in the City of Viña del Mar

This article addresses the intricate relationship between urban heat islands and climate vulnerability, focusing on the city of Viña del Mar in Chile and emphasizing the need for comprehensive communal or local policies to prevent, adapt to, and mitigate the adverse effects of these phenomena. By analyzing the measures contained in existing national climate adaptation plans for the health and urban sectors, as well as the proposed municipal adaptation and resilience plan, the study identifies gaps and opportunities for improving regulatory frameworks and urban planning strategies. The results are divided into sub-themes. The first one refers to the Health Sector Adaptation Plan for Climate Change; the second deals with the Cities Adaptation Plan for Climate Change; and the third deals with the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan for Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. Finally, the research underscores the importance of integrating nature-based solutions, such as green infrastructure, that include quantifiable methods of analysis, combating the heat island phenomenon and stimulating urban development linked to climate change. It also highlights the critical intersection of the right to the city, health, and adequate housing in the context of climate vulnerability, emphasizing the urgency of tailored measures for vulnerable populations and climate justice.