Professor JoAnn Cassar (Faculty of the Built Environment) and Professor Charles Galdies (Institute of
Earth Systems) are leading UrbanClimate, a €150,000 research project funded through
the MCST Space Research Fund Programme.
The project focuses on the thermal performance of traditional and heritage buildings in
Malta and across the Mediterranean. Many of these structures are built with porous materials
and feature layered walls and roofs, which naturally regulate indoor temperatures, keeping
interiors cooler in summer compared to modern buildings that rely on air-conditioning.
Building on Previous Research
UrbanClimate expands upon a 2019 MCST Space Research project, which examined
the thermal properties of traditional and modern roofs using an innovative methodology
that integrated satellite data, UAV (drone) imaging, and on-site measurements. That research
demonstrated that layered traditional roofs offer better insulation than contemporary
concrete roofs covered with waterproofing membranes.
Harnessing Advanced Satellite Data for Thermal Mapping
The project will leverage cutting-edge satellite technology, including data from HOTSAT-
1 (launched on a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket in June 2023) and China’s SDGSAT-1,
to thermally map historical urban centers at the building and street level. This mapping
will be conducted under current climate conditions, with a focus on distinguishing
between traditional and modified roofs based on findings from the previous study.
Modelling Climate Change Scenarios
Using climate models that project near-, mid-, and end-century climate change scenarios,
UrbanClimate will identify thermal hotspots in historical urban centers and analyze how
traditional and modified roof types influence urban heat dynamics. The research will also
explore the broader impact on building conservation and occupant well-being, referencing
key EU-funded projects such as Noah’s Ark (which produced the Atlas of Climate Change
Impact on European Cultural Heritage) and Climate for Culture.
Collaborations and Impact
UrbanClimate has already garnered interest from key stakeholders, including Heritage
Malta, the Planning Authority, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the
Restoration and Preservation Department, and the Kamra tal-Periti. Their collaboration
will be instrumental in applying the research findings to heritage conservation and urban
planning strategies.
The Faculty of the Built Environment and the Institute of Earth Systems express their
gratitude to MCST and ESA for funding this important research, which will contribute to the
sustainable preservation of Malta’s built heritage in the face of climate change.
Research Support Officer
Ing. Elizabeth Muscat Azzopardi
