In the Dominican Republic, summer has become a true test of endurance. In Santo Domingo, Santiago, and other cities, the thermometer reaches 37 and 38 degrees Celsius, but the heat index easily climbs to 42 degrees, according to the National Meteorological Office (ONAMET). The air feels thick, the nights no longer cool down, and a fan is no longer enough. Every family, every office, every business is tethered to an air conditioner that never stops, and even then, the heat remains oppressive.
This isn't just a perception: it's a reality that's transforming our quality of life. According to the Superintendency of Electricity, between 30% and 40% of residential electricity consumption in the summer comes from air conditioners and fans, which drives up electricity bills for Dominican households and puts further strain on an already saturated energy system. This situation not only reflects the effects of climate change, but also the way we've built our cities: more concrete than trees, more asphalt than parks, more towers than shade.
Cities turned into ovens
Unplanned urbanization has intensified the phenomenon known as urban heat islands, where the lack of vegetation and the overabundance of concrete and asphalt raise the temperature several degrees above the surrounding rural areas.
In Santo Domingo, areas like 27 de Febrero, Kennedy, and the Herrera industrial zone experience temperatures up to 3 degrees Celsius higher than greener, surrounding areas. The same is true in Santiago, in areas like Estrella Sadhalá Avenue and the southern part of the city, where population density and concrete predominate over trees.
The result is clear: streets that become unbearable during the day, nearly empty parks, and a steady increase in energy consumption. The average citizen feels like they face extreme weather every summer, and the reality is that this situation will only worsen if immediate action isn't taken.
The role of Dominican construction
This is where the real estate and construction sector must take a leading role. Every project that fails to consider sustainability and thermal efficiency is contributing to a problem that will directly affect its future residents. Future property value will depend not only on location or design, but also on the ability of projects to provide a habitable environment in the face of extreme temperatures.
Key strategies include:
Bioclimatic design: taking advantage of natural ventilation, sun orientation and shade to reduce dependence on artificial cooling systems.
Insulating and sustainable materials: invest in supplies that reduce heat absorption.
Cold roofs and green roofs: paint surfaces with reflective colors or integrate vegetation that acts as thermal insulation.
Urban tree planting: include green areas in every real estate project as part of the design, not as a final decoration.
Solar energy: turning the sun into an energy ally and not just a source of oppressive heat.
The global landscape and international learning
According to the World Bank, the Caribbean is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, and the Dominican Republic is on the front lines of that vulnerability. The effects of extreme heat not only impact health, but also productivity, the economy, and the overall well-being of the population.
However, there are examples of cities that have already learned to live with these conditions and have shown that it is possible to mitigate the effects of urban heat:
Singapore: with green roofs, vertical gardens and strict tree-planting policies, it has managed to reduce temperatures by up to 4 degrees in critical areas of the city.
Medellín, Colombia: its “green corridors”, with more than 350,000 trees, managed to lower the city's average temperature by 2 degrees in less than five years.
Barcelona, Spain: The “superblocks” initiative reorganized urban mobility, expanding pedestrian and green areas, which lowered the temperature in central sectors and improved the quality of life for residents.
These cases show that with planning, innovation and political will, cities can be transformed into cooler and more livable spaces, even in the face of extreme climates.
Sustainability is not a luxury, it is a necessity
The Dominican real estate sector often views sustainability as a luxury, a trend, or an added value. I maintain that it is no longer optional: it is an urgent necessity. Every project that ignores climate impact will condemn its residents to face increasingly unbearable summers, high energy costs, and reduced comfort.
It's time for the industry to embrace its role: projects designed for better living and heat resistance, with green spaces, natural ventilation, sustainable materials, and clean energy. This vision not only addresses climate change but also translates into added value, differentiation, and competitiveness in the Dominican real estate market.
Conclusion
This heat is unbearable and will only intensify if we don't act. Change depends not only on public policies, but also on the decision of architects, urban planners, engineers, and real estate developers to build with the environment in mind.
If Medellín was able to reduce its temperatures with green corridors in less than five years, Santo Domingo and Santiago can do it too. Building with sustainability in mind isn't just a favor to nature; it's an investment in people's lives and the viability of the Dominican real estate sector. Because, let's be honest, this heat is unbearable, and those who don't act soon will feel the effects in every project they develop.
The opinions expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of its author.
