Climate change has a direct impact on our everyday life in a number of ways. If we want to make our cities liveable and protect the current ecosystem, we need to think systemically to be able to find the optimal solution. The urban heat island effect is a microclimatic phenomenon that has long been known, and during summer heat waves it not only affects our well-being adversely, but it also increases mortality rates. Most people use air conditioning to cope with the problem, but this sets off a vicious cycle, as these devices release heat to the street and public spaces. Cooling our environment currently accounts for approximately 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions. This is expected to double by 2050, with total energy consumption tripling. In my thesis I analyse active and passive cooling technologies that are known and researched today so that our cities can be liveable and sustainable in the long term, and I also present some case studies on public space renewal projects.