Uploaded on 2016-05-02 by paulimartins88

Climate change is unavoidable right now but all these case studies must cause enough impact not only on developed countries but also on developing ones creating an union among all focusing on the main common goal which is try to decrease the Heat Island Effect in cities and develop more sustainable regions and urban places. But this commitment goes further than signing the COP21 agreement, important actions must be taken all around the world before it's even more worst. “Climate Central” points out how urban heat island is seriously affecting main US cities, with temperatures 27°F higher in some cities than their surrounding rural areas. But deeper research must be done in developing countries as well since the urban index in these countries are much more higher with massive populations concentrating in main cities. 2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? Higher temperatures in the cities compared to rural levels, important floods, lack of proper green areas incorporated to urban patterns, more and more buildings using air conditioning, increase of use of vehicles due to limited public transport networks and industries expanding without smart planning. 3. Which are the measures you would propose? Public policies coming from national, regional and local government units must be taken to encourage right development plans not only in the way buildings are constructed and how they work but also incorporate the use of renewable energies and educate people's habits in terms of being more environmental friendly. Besides, public transport networks must be well planned so people prefer it above using the car as well as planning more "compact" cities so home-work-entertaining are closer and there's no need of huge transport investments reducing the impact on the environment and costs of time and money to the citizens. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Buenos Aires has its plan to face climate change but still strong concerning policies are to be taken. Although there have been some actions and changes, there's much to do yet. Apart from all this, Buenos Aires as in many Latin American cities, has a lot of work to do to incorporate informal settlements to the formal urban pattern in order to stop the uncontrolled and unsustainable sprawl of them causing great damage to the environment and decreasing more and more the livability of its populations. ![Environmental effect in the city center of Buenos Aires during summer days][1] ![Heat Island Effect measured in 1999][2] ![Villa 31 - The biggest informal settlement in Buenos Aires][3] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14621583941505802.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14621584407636993.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14621585055867545.jpg