Uploaded on 2015-10-24 by msilvabarral

The regional weather service offers data from three weather stations in my place of residence. The data shown here represent values of average, highest and lowest temperatures for each month from june to october 2015, measured in two of these stations: one downtown (A Coruña-Torre de Hércules, brown), the other in a park outside the city (A Coruña-Bens, blue). ![downtown vs outskirts temperatures][1] Due to the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the strong winds and the usually low temperatures, along with the size of the city (230.000 inhabitants), the effects of the UHI are not so easily spotted. Temperatures vary less than 10ºC during the day-night cycle, and humidity stands stable along the year (from 72% to 77%). However, temperatures downtown are slightly higher, as shown in the graphic. ![enter image description here][2] Although the city is not very big, rural areas around it are quite densely populated. In the image, the typical housing structure in the rural areas in the Northwestern Spain. ![enter image description here][3] The city spreads on a windy and rainy coastal area, which is why UHI is not a concerning issue here. **Which are the measures you would propose?** As stated before, UHI in A Coruña is not a matter of huge concern, but greenhouse effect worldwide is. Reducing the greenhouse gases emission not only decreases UHI but also global warming, and the measures adopted also benefit the health of the citizens. Walkable cities, bicycle use, vegetation instead of hard pavements, passive house building, enhance the city's livability, besides helping reduce UHI. **Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** As temperatures are usually from mild to cold, UHI is still not concerning authorities. Policies are made in order to reduce air pollution and global warming. For instance, the Local Development Plan identifies some parks as key urban equipment, and orders the transformation of great vacant spaces in the outskirts to become part of the General Network of Green Zones. Capital importance is given to sustainable transport and energy sources. Reducing UHI effect is not the aim of the local policies, but it is an interesting side effect of some of them. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14457038859492257.jpg [2]: http://s3.postimg.org/lyhv6vmdf/2014_04_29_11_05_19.jpg [3]: http://s13.postimg.org/6yfak6d6f/DSCF1677_2.jpg