Assessing heat wave mitigation strategies in a Mediterranean coastal city: how effective are cool roofs and urban green? 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergi Ventura ◽  
Alba Badia ◽  
Ricard Segura ◽  
Joan Gilabert ◽  
Carme Llasat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Cool Roofs ◽  
Urban Master Plan ◽  
The City

<p>Heat waves (HW) are expected to become more frequent and intense in urban areas, where currently 54% of the population resides (United Nations, 2018) and 60% are expected to do so by 2030. Urban policy makers are proposing various mitigation strategies, but currently lack the tools to determine how effective they will be in terms of the city´s geography climate and urban morphology. We use the Weather and Research Forecasting Model (WRF)  with the multi-layer Urban Scheme Building Effect Parametrization (BEP) and Building Energy Model (BEP+BEM) (Martilli et al., 2002), to simulate three scenarios proposed by the Urban Master Plan of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) for potential implementation. We include detailed input data using cartography at 10 m resolution and eleven urban classes.  We simulate a HW episode that occurred in July-August 2015 when temperatures reached 40°C during the day and did not go below 25°C at night, for more than five consecutive days. The three potential scenarios simulated are: 1) Increasing the albedo of rooftops to 0.85 for certain urban classes, 2) Increasing the urban green by an additional 255.64 ha according to the proposal of the Master Urban Plan for 2030 with two different irrigation schemes and 3) a combination of these two complementary mitigation strategies. We find that the cool roofs reduce temperatures best during the day (average reductions of 2.22°C), while the additional green areas help moderate temperatures evenly during the day and nighttime (average reductions of 0.15°C and 0.17°C, respectively). However, when irrigation is increased from 2 to 5L/m<sup>2</sup>day, the temperature reduction potential during the day is intensified due to the cooling effect of more evapotranspiration. The thermal regulation potential of the combined scenario is the most propagated over the AMB and has the highest impact with average daytime reductions of 1.26°C and maximum reduction of 4.73°C at 13:00 UTC.</p>

scholarly journals Fixed and Mobile Low-Cost Sensing Approaches for Microclimate Monitoring in Urban Areas: A Preliminary Study in the City of Bolzano (Italy)

Smart Cities ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-70
Author(s):  
Silvia Croce ◽  
Stefano Tondini
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The City

In the current scenario of massive urbanization and global climate change, an intelligent monitoring of the environmental variables is becoming fundamental to ensure good living conditions in cities. Indeed, the acquisition of data with high spatiotemporal resolution can enable the assessment of environmental vulnerabilities in urban areas towards the definition of responsive adaptation and mitigation strategies. In this context, the current work presents a two-fold approach based on low-cost cloud-connected sensors for (i) fixed and (ii) mobile monitoring of several environmental parameters. This paper, which focuses on the measurement aspects of the urban micro-climate, describes in detail the hardware and software components of both approaches, and how to exploit them for setting up a field campaign. The methods were tested in the city of Bolzano (Italy), demonstrating their suitability for identifying the spatial variability of the microclimate in relation to the urban morphology, and for highlighting the presence of the urban heat island and estimating its intensity.

Should Cities Embrace Their Heat Islands as Shields from Extreme Cold?

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309-1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiachuan Yang ◽  
Elie Bou-Zeid
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Anthropogenic Heat ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Cold Wave ◽  
Cold Waves ◽  
Heat Islands ◽  
Extreme Cold ◽  
Anthropogenic Modifications ◽  
Cool Roofs

AbstractThe higher temperature in cities relative to their rural surroundings, known as the urban heat island (UHI), is one of the most well documented and severe anthropogenic modifications of the environment. Heat islands are hazardous to residents and the sustainability of cities during summertime and heat waves; on the other hand, they provide considerable benefits in wintertime. Yet, the evolution of UHIs during cold waves has not yet been explored. In this study, ground-based observations from 12 U.S. cities and high-resolution weather simulations show that UHIs not only warm urban areas in the winter but also further intensify during cold waves by up to 1.32° ± 0.78°C (mean ± standard deviation) at night relative to precedent and subsequent periods. Anthropogenic heat released from building heating is found to contribute more than 30% of the UHI intensification. UHIs thus serve as shelters against extreme-cold events and provide benefits that include mitigating cold hazard and reducing heating demand. More important, simulations indicate that standard UHI mitigation measures such as green or cool roofs reduce these cold-wave benefits to different extents. Cities, particularly in cool and cold temperate climates, should hence revisit their policies to favor (existing) mitigation approaches that are effective only during hot periods.

Understanding the Role of Urban Morphology and Green Areas Configuration During Heat Waves

2020 ◽  
pp. 502-517
Author(s):  
Marialuce Stanganelli ◽  
Carlo Gerundo
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
Planning Strategies

This paper focuses on urban planning strategies to adapt cities to the increasing rising of temperatures during summer heat waves. The main target is to investigate which configuration and distribution pattern of green spaces could effectively improve natural cooling of urban environments. Although the benefit that green areas give to natural cooling is well known, this kind of studies has hardly been carried out, especially at an urban scale where it is crucial to define quantities and density of green areas to address open spaces design. To reach this goal, a methodology based on the interpretation of the statistical correlation among temperature, urban parameters and green areas configurational indicators was implemented and applied to the case study of the Municipality of Naples, performing all the analysis in a GIS. Results provide guidelines to improve natural cooling in urban areas adopting the most effective configuration and distribution of green areas within a densely-built context.

THE ARGUMENTATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF URBAN CONSOLIDATION CENTER FOR THE OLD TOWN IN GDAŃSK AS AN INDICATION OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN FREIGHT LOGISTICS

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (0) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Matusiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Historical Buildings ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Urban Freight ◽  
Freight Logistics ◽  
The City ◽  
Urban Consolidation

Distribution of goods in urban areas is one of the most important factors affecting the operation of the region but the management of these services is often overlooked by transport policy makers in Polish cities. Historical buildings create additional difficulties because they make the infrastructure development impossible. It is estimated that in large European cities approximately 25% of CO2 emissions, 30% of nitrogen oxides and 50% of particulates from transport are emitted by trucks and vans. The doctoral thesis presents methods used to optimize distribution processes in cities with historic buildings in Europe and around the world. It also presents the results of a research carried out in the Old Town of Gdańsk and proposes a method to optimize distribution processes for the area, which was the main objective of the work. The hypothesis of the trial has been formulated as follows: locating Urban Consolidation Center not far away from the center of the City of Gdańsk would bring tangible benefits for the city and all users of the urban space. The study used a method of analysis and criticism of literature; detailed study of a particular case and the method of observation. According to the design model, the proposed solution will bring tangible benefits to all users of space – residents, businesses and city authorities. The results of tests carried out on account of this thesis were provided to the city authorities.

A Review on the Factors Influencing the Park-and-Ride Traffic Management Method

2014 ◽  
Vol 567 ◽  
pp. 663-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan Ahmed Memon ◽  
Napiah Madzlan ◽  
Mir Aftab Hussain Talpur ◽  
Muhammad Rehan Hakro ◽  
Imtiaz Ahmed Chandio
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Congestion ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Traffic Management ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Park And Ride ◽  
Support Policy ◽  
Management Method ◽  
The City

Park-and-ride is a traffic management method of traffic congestion problem in urban areas. As an extent of total demand management, park-and-ride service (P&R service) has broadly implemented in many countries. P&R service has proven to be progressive in alleviating traffic congestion despite of complication in finding parking spaces in the city centers. The objective of this research is to discuss a model to shift car travelers’ to park-and-ride service (P&R service) and to investigate the factors which influence car travelers’ behavior. This study can support policy makers’ with useful information for future planning and development of park-and-ride service. Research outcomes will support policy-making and provide base for future study on modal choice behavior model for park-and-ride service.

scholarly journals Linking Sustainable Urban Development With Town Planning Through Proximity Trade

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Jose Manuel Diaz-Sarachaga
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Urban Morphology ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
Urban Fabric ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Motorized Vehicles

Losses from commercial activities reflect the decline and deterioration of the downtown, the urban fabric and the social structure of the cities. The dependence on motorized vehicles has grown significantly among consumers who must move to meet their daily needs. Such a process marginalizes vulnerable populations by promoting urban lifestyles less sustainable. Proximity trade is therefore becoming increasingly important for those groups because it encourages dynamism among distinct urban areas and reduces the use of vehicles. This urban model addresses a relevant issue as universal accessibility that allows residents to enjoy an available city and move freely without encountering obstacles. The major role played by trade in the creation of wealth and urban fabric demands the integration of commercial areas provisions into urban policy guidelines. In this context, the study aims at developing a set of indicators that link proximity trade with the promotion of sustainable urban development and the model of compact city to be included in Spanish urban planning guidelines. Sixteen indicators were thus formulated around five areas of action: urban morphology, urban complexity, sustainable mobility, urban metabolism and social cohesion.

scholarly journals Accessibility to and Availability of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) to Support Health and Wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic—The Case of Bologna

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11054
Author(s):  
Claudia De Luca ◽  
Andrea Libetta ◽  
Elisa Conticelli ◽  
Simona Tondelli
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Green Spaces ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Spaces ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
The City

In accordance with SDG N11.7, each city should work on providing “by 2030, universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities”. This target became even more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. This paper presents and discuss a method for (i) assessing the current distribution and accessibility of urban green spaces (UGSs) in a city using hierarchical network distances; and (ii) quantifying the per capita values of accessible UGSs, also in light of the restrictions in place, namely social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methods have been tested in the city of Bologna, and the results highlight urban areas that suffer from a scarcity of accessible UGSs and identify potentially overcrowded UGSs, assessing residents’ pressure over diverse UGSs of the city in question. Based on our results, this work allows for the identification of priorities of intervention to overcome these issues, while also considering temporary solutions for facing the eventual scarce provision of UGSs and related health and wellbeing benefits in periods of movement restrictions.

Assessment of future heat events for the city of Augsburg by means of a normal vector based analog approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Merkenschlager ◽  
Christoph Beck ◽  
Elke Hertig
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Normal Vector ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The City

<p>Under enhanced anthropogenic greenhouse gas forcing heat waves are only one example of climatic risks mankind has to deal with. Especially in urban areas where most of the people will live until the end of the 21<sup>st</sup> century heat waves are a serious risk factor since the urban heat island will reinforce such events. For the city of Augsburg, new analog methods are utilized for assessing the development and impacts of heat waves taking into account the varying urban structure.</p><p>For model calibration the temperature data from the Augsburg-Mühlhausen weather station operated by the German Weather Service (DWD) and atmospheric circulation variables of the ERA5 reanalysis data set were used to analyze the recent temperature development. For this purpose, the least deviation of the normal vector was used to determine a subsample of analogs corresponding to the day of interest. The normal vector was derived from the regression plane of the prevailing circulation on the respective day. Subsequently, the temperature patterns were used to define the analog day from the subsample. For future periods, the same method was applied to model data for two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5, RCP8.5) of different general circulation models (GCM: ACCESS1-0, CNRM-CM5, MPI-ESM-LR). Thus, we derive future time series of analogs corresponding to events prevailing in the observational period. To account for projected trends of the GCMs, the trends of all time-series were first removed and, after the analog selection process, added again according to the trends of the GCMs.</p><p>Temperature extremes are defined as days with temperatures exceeding the 90<sup>th</sup> quantile (Q90) and heat days are defined as days where at least two temperature indices (TMIN, TMEAN, TMAX) exceed Q90. When at least three consecutive days are defined as heat day a heat wave is proclaimed. Analysis have shown that under consideration of RCP8.5 (RCP4.5) and all model runs the number of heat days in the end of the 21<sup>st</sup> century will be nine (five) times higher than within the reference period 1970-2000. Furthermore, the mean duration of heatwaves will extend by factor four (two), whereby heat waves of more than 30 (15) consecutive days are possible.</p>

Examining the Effects of Heat Mitigation on the Physical Properties of Urban Green Space and Urban Blue Space: A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pruthvin Shetty ◽  
Dwarakish g s
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
World Population ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Urban Green Areas ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
Tier 3 ◽  
The City

<p>The smart and sustainable city idea gained momentum in recent years in order to cope with population growth in urban areas and to make the city live. Cities are projected to consume 70% of the world's resources and 66% of the world population by 2050. Most of tier-3 and tier-2 cities will convert to tier-1 city, and we need to identify and protect the urban green spaces. Urban green areas have many esthetic advantages, including environmental benefits such as a fall in city temperature in the summer and absorption of rainwater. Social advantages are such as feelings of happiness and peace. Objective quantification of greenery on its neighbourhood spatial distribution may help identify essential and potential areas. Heterogeneous land uses describe urban areas. Urban heat island (UHI), with high Land surface temperatures (LST), is distinguished by its city development pattern, socioeconomic and anthropogenic activities. The LST is rising rapidly not only in cities but also in tier-3 & tier-2 cities.  Urban green areas, including parks, playgrounds, gardens and areas, such as ponds, pools, lakes and rivers, will contribute to the control of land temperatures in and around the city. Such spaces also lead to the formation of the Urban Cooling Island (UCI), where temperatures are comparatively cooler than surrounding temperatures, because of their shade of the trees and their evapotranspiration. This cooling island formation is referred to as the Park Cooling Island (PCI) impact. The present work aims to describe the effect of urban green and urban blue spaces on LST using a range of data sources with geospatial technologies. Udupi town, which comes under Udupi district, Karnataka, India is a tier-3 city, selected for the present research work. The data used in the study include Landsat 8 temporal satellite images and secondary data, such as field data from various government and semi-government organisations. LST has been measured using the emissivity reference channel algorithm from Landsat 8 thermal bands. Different indices such as Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index NDWI, Land Shape Index (LSI) are determined from images from Landsat 8. The results show that LST exists with high spatial variability and urban green, blue spaces have a stronger influence on LST.</p>

Synergistic Interactions between Urban Heat Islands and Heat Waves: The Impact in Cities Is Larger than the Sum of Its Parts

2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 2051-2064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Elie Bou-Zeid
Keyword(s):  
Urban Heat Island ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Heat Waves ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Urban Heat Islands ◽  
Heat Island ◽  
Heat Islands ◽  
Urban Heat ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCities are well known to be hotter than the rural areas that surround them; this phenomenon is called the urban heat island. Heat waves are excessively hot periods during which the air temperatures of both urban and rural areas increase significantly. However, whether urban and rural temperatures respond in the same way to heat waves remains a critical unanswered question. In this study, a combination of observational and modeling analyses indicates synergies between urban heat islands and heat waves. That is, not only do heat waves increase the ambient temperatures, but they also intensify the difference between urban and rural temperatures. As a result, the added heat stress in cities will be even higher than the sum of the background urban heat island effect and the heat wave effect. Results presented here also attribute this added impact of heat waves on urban areas to the lack of surface moisture in urban areas and the low wind speed associated with heat waves. Given that heat waves are projected to become more frequent and that urban populations are substantially increasing, these findings underline the serious heat-related health risks facing urban residents in the twenty-first century. Adaptation and mitigation strategies will require joint efforts to reinvent the city, allowing for more green spaces and lesser disruption of the natural water cycle.

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