Uploaded on 2015-12-04 by ArminiusUngeist

**1. Check the temperature differences in US cities** Checking the temperature differences in US cities showed that all presents signs of UHI effects with differences between the city and its surroundings up to 27 degrees Fahrenheit and an average of 17.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Also it has been observed an increase in the number of hot days over the summer resulting in an increase in the ozone air pollution with all the adjacent health risks, and making heat the number 1 weather-related killer in the US. Also in 41 out of 60 cities analysed urbanisation appears to have an accelerating effect on climate change. **2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area?** I cannot provide images of the city surroundings as I didn't travel outside the city yet. I found the satellite image of the city provided by Google as being quite compelling instead. As the image shows, the Ural river is crossing the city, dividing Europe from Asia, and allowing on its banks a narrow natural green strip of vegetation. All around is just a barren desert with extreme hot summers and harsh winters. There is an interesting UHI effect in Atyrau. As the city concentrates along the banks of the river, and as the main activity in the city happens in the centre, one would expect to have there the centre of the UHI effect. As it happens, it is exactly the opposite due to the only patches of vegetation that keeps the centre of the city cooler than the rest of it. Therefore, we have a cooler centre, a hotter edge of the city and very likely some similarly hot surroundings as the desert around doesn't allow much vegetation. The wind also helps cooling the centre as there's just a handful of fairly tall building in the city and even fewer are located near the banks of the river. **3. Which are the measures you would propose?** Obviously, having vegetation all over the city would be the first thing one would think about. This is exactly what the city is trying to do, but I would add, with not much success. The biggest problem here is the salinity of the soil, and even in the cases when fertile soil was imported and used to grow grass (as I've witnessed in several cases) it didn't last as the salt made its way up and killed everything. That happens in the case of trees as well. They can last a year or two with massive input of water but most of them eventually will die, being replaced by another batch with the same faith. Using alternative materials might be a solution but that is highly dependent on the economic power of the city. The latest developments (devaluation of the local currency, slower oil output, and a diminishing expat life) are not bidding well for future high tech investments. Quality improvements of public transport and creating decent bike paths all over the city might deter people from using their cars everyday, thus reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and health risks. **4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** Except for planting trees and trying to keep alive the vegetation already in place there is no other visible attempt to increase the size of the green surface. There are intentions and commitments to switch energy production to green alternatives but insofar everything is just a plan. There is a much advertised “Future Energy” International Exposition Kazakhstan will host in Astana in 2017 and we will have to wait and see what impact this event will have on any further development in the country. As a personal note, I do not think it will have any local impact outside the two major cities, Almaty and Astana, if it will have any impact at all, but I might be wrong. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14492334106268886.png