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Le Corbusier’s social housing was meant to be the dream. In a summer of extreme heat, it is a nightmare | Anna Richards
In Firminy, France, Le Corbusier's listed social housing tower reaches 40C internally during heatwaves, yet heritage protection rules prevent tenants from installing shutters or making cooling modifications. Two-thirds of the building's apartments are social housing, leaving low-income residents trapped in sweltering conditions with no legal remedy, caught between historic preservation requirements and basic liveability.
Factcheck: How nuclear, gas, wind and solar power are affected during heatwaves
Matched: climate
Extreme heat affects all major power sources. Nuclear and gas plants need cool water for operations and may reduce output or shut down when water temperatures rise. Solar panels become less efficient in high heat. Wind power can drop if heatwaves bring calm conditions. Meanwhile, electricity demand spikes as people use air conditioning, straining grids precisely when generation capacity may be reduced.