Uploaded on 2015-11-13 by rchung427

To compare, I chose Conroe, a lake adjacent vacation town around 50 miles north of Houston. According to reported climate data, the yearly mean temps in Conroe are 78.5 degrees F (high), and 57.7 degrees F (low); in Houston, average highs are 79.7, and lows are 60.2 F, indicating a significant difference in temps despite the proximity of the two cities. Below are downtown intersections in Conroe and Houston, respectively: ![Conroe Downtown: ][1] ![Houston Downtown:][2] From an initial glance, the right image is much more developed, with more buildings per street, and more narrow areas between buildings . Notably, Houston is one of the few major cities in the US that does not have strictly mandated zoning laws, which accounts for a varied architectural landscape across the city. Downtown, however is dominated by mostly high-rise structures. Much of Houston's UIH effects can presumably be linked to anthopogenic causes; for decades, Houston has been a center for the oil and petrochemical industry, and has notably high ozone levels. In part due to the lack of strict zoning regulation, Houston is highly driving dependent, contributing to atmospheric pollution in the city. The already hot climate and resulting dependence on air conditioning throughout most of the summers produces a positive feedback loop of increased temps annually. Additionally, the city lacks green areas that could potentially mitigate these heating effects. Significant initiatives would have to address pollution in the city and surrounding areas at large, which would be challenging due to the significant establishment of industry in the city that would lobby against such measures. If I was a policy maker, I would focus on establishing more green areas as a more immediate solution, with trees that provide shading effects in the short term. I would also encourage development of more effective technologies, like efficient air conditioning units and reflective building materials. Houston law makers have focused on some smaller green spaces in downtown and midtown areas, as well as proposals to extend better public transportation throughout the greater Houston area, as a solution to traffic and pollution. However, the cost and scale of such a project has so far been prohibitive. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474372526825147.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14474374896326823.jpg