Managing an Invisible Disaster: Developing a Comprehensive Heat Action Plan for Istanbul

Abstract

Extreme heat is a climate hazard threatening the future of urban life. However, due to its invisible nature, heat often remains peripheral in disaster management. This study examines how extreme heat is framed within Türkiye’s national and Istanbul’s municipal level disaster management and climate action frameworks. It analyzes a total of 15 documents through thematic content analysis to assess the extent to which heat is treated as a disaster risk requiring coordinated response within these frameworks. Findings reveal that while climate plans acknowledge heat as an urban health challenge, disaster management policies largely omit it or refer to it marginally, with little actionable protocols. This gap underscores the need for a dedicated Heat Action Plan for Istanbul. By identifying policy blind spots and drawing on international best practices, this study contributes to the emerging literature on urban heat governance.