Uploaded on 2016-03-26 by Ozgedilgen

Likely the other metropolitan cities all over the world, İstanbul is also facing with the heat island effect. Year by year, we recognise the difference in climate and seasonal average temperatures are significantly increasing. As Istanbul can be defined a developing city and fastest growing city in Turkey; urbanization, industrialization, increasing energy consumption, uncontrolled CO2 emissions and having the worst traffic in the world (according to the researches held on 2015); the UHI effect can not be neglected. There has been a lot of skyscrapers (top in Europe) constructed in the office areas and high rise buildings in residential areas of the city center. There is not many city parks and gardens or other green areas. The only positive factor on UHI is the air flow created by the bosphorus. But because the wind flow directions are ignored while constructing skyscrapers in Turkey, high buildings generally block these air flows and minimise its positive effects. According to UHI analysis in İstanbul, the temperature difference between city center and rural areas is measured to be average 4.24°C. The UHI effect reaches its highest intensity on summer nights, ~ 5°C daytime and ~ 8°C night time. ![İstanbul-city][1] In this photo of İstanbul's city center; we can see the compact, high rise buildings and skyscrapers which block the air flows. This is one of the main roads, which has a heavy traffic in the afternoon and cause CO2 emissions. The area is mostly covered with dark concrete surfaces and less green areas. ![Istanbul - rural][2] In the rural area, there are low rise buildings, less concrete surfaces and more forests, wind flow from Bosphorus, less traffic and less industrial buidings. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14590016193109515.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1459001480693233.jpg **Measures I would propose** The first topic I would propose is to increase green areas in the city. It would maintain citizens a livable environment to spend quality time while lessening the heat island effect. Secondly , I would propose some regulations about using public transportation. It would both decrease GHG emissions and be a solution to traffic problem. To avoid unplanned urbanization I would bring new obligations, and I would encourage industrial buildings to reduce their emissions. **UHI concerning policies** It seems like there is not a special policy concerning UHI effect. But by 2000's Turkish government started many urban transformation projects which were told to have a positive effect on Urban Heat Island effect. But as the projects moved on, citizens saw that the aim of the projects were to create rant, as they converted low rise buildings to high rise and green areas to concrete buildings.