Uploaded on 2016-05-02 by mgomez_rojo

2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? Having lived in the suburbs of the city of Madrid and commuting on a daily basis to and from the city, I have been able to realize how the density and planning of the city has deep effects in the climate and citizen thermal comfort in and out of the city. Personally, I think the biggest difference can be seen during the warm, dry, summer months, when the city becomes an expense heat accumulator. The high temperatures, along with the distribution of buildings and the lack of "soft surfaces" or "green surfaces" make it really difficult to enjoy the city during the central hours of the day. When I used to live in the suburbs, I could realize how, during the morning, the fact of living in a low rise zone with more green areas, close to a forest and in the northwest of the city (located between the mountains and the city), temperatures where much cooler as when I reached the city. The same happened during the night, when a breeze could be felt and enjoyed in outside the city or along the riverbanks, but not in downtown areas, where an added effect of heat was due to the use of very hard surfaces in public spaces and a lack of shading provided (which have become extremely extended across the city, in detriment to green areas or places supplying water fountains). ![Puerta del sol, example of public space with very hard surfaces and lack of shading][1] ![Madrid Rio, the city's river park, as a space to enjoy and cool down during the summer months][2] ![Madrid seen from the green areas on the outskirts][2] 3. Which are the measures you would propose? 3. Which are the measures you would propose? The main measures I would propose would be - More trees in public spaces in the city center - Traffic restrictions in certain areas, as the heat from motor vehicles adds up to the temperature at summer and decreases thermal comfort. Readapting rooftops as green surfaces which would help building not to absorb so much heat which then is trapped in the city streets. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? In recent years, several projects trying to bring nature back into the city have also been implemented, trying to fight against the negative effects for livability in the city due to the heat island effect. Probably the better known strategy has been the recuperation of the river banks as a green space which has introduced a green artery in the city, substituting an old highway with a park, and making the are more accessible for citizens to enjoy and refresh during the summer months. In the images we can see what the space was like before and what it looks like now. ![Madrid Rio - before and after][3] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14622091746949155.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14622094451938816.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14622099409858487.jpg