Uploaded on 2016-02-29 by leonghua13

###![][1]. Check the temperature differences in US cities The analysis of summer temperatures in 60 of the largest U.S. cities found that: 57 cities had measurable urban heat island effects over the past 10 years. Single-day urban temperatures in some metro areas were as much as 27°F higher than the surrounding rural areas, and on average across all 60 cities, the maximum single-day temperature difference was 17.5°F. Cities have many more searing hot days each year. Since 2004, 12 cities averaged at least 20 more days a year above 90°F than nearby rural areas. The 60 cities analyzed averaged at least 8 more days over 90°F each summer compared to adjacent rural areas. More heat can increase ozone air pollution. All 51 cities with adequate data showed a statistically significant correlation between higher daily summer temperatures and bad air quality (as measured by ground-level ozone concentrations). Temperatures are being forced higher by increasing urbanization and manmade global warming, which could undermine the hard-won improvements in air quality and public health made over the past few decades. In two thirds of the cities analyzed (41 of 60), urbanization and climate change appear to be combining to increase summer heat faster than climate change alone is raising regional temperatures. In three quarters (45 of 60) of cities examined, urbanized areas are warming faster than adjacent rural locations. The top 10 cities with the most intense summer urban heat islands (average daily urban-rural temperature differences) over the past 10 years are: Las Vegas (7.3°F) Albuquerque (5.9°F Denver (4.9°F) Portland (4.8°F) Louisville (4.8°F) Washington, D.C. (4.7°F) Kansas City (4.6°F) Columbus (4.4°F) Minneapolis (4.3°F) Seattle (4.1°F) On average across all 60 cities, urban summer temperatures were 2.4°F hotter than rural temperatures. (source: http://www.climatecentral.org/news/urban-heat-islands-threaten-us-health-17919#more) A check on Summer Heat in Atlanta shows the city is ‘up to 16 degree C than the rural areas. On average, city summer is 2 degree C higher than rural areas. ###. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? The researchers in Singapore found the commercial- and business-district areas to be hotter than the green areas by 2°C. An average temperature of 29.27°C was recorded in the major shopping precinct - the Orchard Road area - between 10 and 11 pm, whereas the area near the MacRitchie Reservoir showed an average temperature of 27.36°C. Other locations that showed higher temperatures (above 29°C) included Raffles Place, Outram Park, Clementi and Toa Payoh, which are densely populated areas. Places like Tuas, Kembangan and Paya Lebar also have temperatures above 29°C owing to the industrialisation there. Woodlands, Sembawang, Pasir Ris and Kranji recorded lower temperatures. (source: http://www.innovationmagazine.com/volumes/v3n2/coverstory2.html) If you look at the UHI map of Singapore, business areas and high density population areas are shown in red. ### Which are the measures you would propose? To add ‘green’ areas to the city. Skyrise greenery contributes to Singapore’s “City in a Garden” image and helps us stand out on the world stage. It offers environmental, economic, social and aesthetic benefits. In what is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect, the temperature difference between rural and urban areas in Singapore has been found to be about 3°C. Bare rooftops and building façades contribute to the problem by acting as a heat sink. Skyrise greenery can alleviate heat islands by shading heat-absorbing surfaces. (source: https://www.skyrisegreenery.com/index.php/home/skyrise/benefits) ### Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Yes. Singapore aims to be a garden city. There is a annual Tree Planting day, as a government policy to get citizens involvement in planting trees. If you have a chance to visit Singapore, once you step out the airport, on your way to the city or hotel, you will experience the ‘green’ in Singapore. We have policies to preserve the green areas despite economic development. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14567472533427673.jpg