Uploaded on 2015-10-16 by MarcusCap

Tokyo, as many urbanized areas worldwide, has experienced an increase in average temperature. According to the Outline of the Policy Framework to Reduce Urban Heat Islands Effects (2004) the increase has been quantified in 3.0 degrees C. in comparison with 100 years ago. Maps produced by the Ministry of Environment have clearly shown that UHI is most prominent within Tokyo’s 23 central wards, becoming less pronounced the farther an area is located from the center. The main effects of this phenomenon are concerning the health and daily well-being of the population, especially in terms of diseases like heat-stroke. Higher temperatures initiate a vicious cycle, where more energy is used for cooling and this, in turn, generates more heat. ![Tokyo: surroundings of Shinjuku station][1] *From this image it can be intuitively expected that the vast hard-surface of the tracks and platforms exposed under sunshine and the lack of greenery of any sort would contribute to Tokyo's UHI.* ![Tokyo: Kunitachi City, a leafy suburban area][2] *This suburban area in Tokyo, presenting considerable private gardens (i.e. greenery and non-hard surfaces), shows in fact slightly lower average temperatures that more central areas.* **Measures I would propose** On a planning level, more green areas (e.g parks, water surfaces) should be implemented as the building stock of Tokyo changes in response to aging population and low fertility-rate. Moreover, green and open corridors should be carefully planned in order to facilitate wind movement and more rapid cooling. On a policy level, clear-colored roofs, green roofs and reflective surfaces should be fostered. Moreover, the design of new buildings and renewal of existing ones should aim at using as much natural cooling measures as possible, in terms of natural shading and sun-breakers use. **Policy making in Tokyo** There is a number of initiatives being promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government tackling UHI. For instance, the vicinity of Tokyo Station is being redeveloped with much attention towards wind path and natural cooling between buildings (creating wind corridors); subsidies and incentives are being studied to facilitate green implementation on the neighborhood level, as well as measures to increase the amount of green roofs. The use of water-retentive and insulating urban pavement is also being tested. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14449662344573711.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14449665183104731.jpg