Uploaded on 2016-05-02 by D-Nealon

As a comparative study between the city of Dublin I found it difficult to find the local data as the weather stations maintained by the Irish meteorological centres are generally in rural or similar to rural setting. Couple this with the fact that Ireland is on the western fringes of Europe with a prevailing Southwest wind from the Atlantic and is affected greatly by the Jet stream which hovers over the country during the entity of the year makes for a very difficult appraisal of UHI for Dublin city. The city Itself has until recently been regarded as a low rise city and is not particularly regarded as being of high density as can be attested by the scale of urns sprawl and traffic congestion throughout it’s confines. I did, however come across the following paper : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277308454_Local_Climate_Classification_and_Dublin's_Urban_Heat_Island that had carried out an assessment utilising the LCZ (Local Climate Zone) model of calculating the effects of UHI on a city. This Survey is undertaking by utilising 6 fixed monitoring stations and mobile monitoring systems that are conducted in different zones of a grid within the city itself which are categorised by the presence of the fixed stations as follows: 1. Low Plants - Station 1 North East - Located of the grounds of laboratory run by the national agricultural research institute with dominant surface type of Grass/ Roads 2. Compact Low Rise - Station 2 South East - located on school grounds within suburban setting with dominant surface of paving / Buildings 3. Open Midrise - Station 3 South Central - located on University Grounds dominant surface around site pavement/grass/ Building 4. Compact Midrise - Station 4 Central - located in inner city housing estate Dominant surface Pavement/ Building 5. Open Low Rise - Station 5 Southwest - Located on school grounds within suburban setting, dominant surface Grass/Pavement/ Building 6. Open Lowrise - Station 6 Located on school grounds suburban setting, dominant surface grass/Pavement / Buildings. These stations were supplemented by mobile monitoring stations that traversed each grid in hourly rotations running from 21.00 to 06.00 for 7 days (August 26 to Sept 1st 2010) and include cloud cover data for this period. With the LCZ method the transitional areas between zones ( mid to low rise etc) were document thus providing the most accurate picture of Dublin’s Canopy Layer UHI resulting in the greatest difference of recorded temperature of 4.8˚c between Low Plants ( closest to rural temp) and Station 4 Compact Mid rise. temperature ranges were recorded between -2.8˚c and 2˚c. The Following Images are of the immediate rural setting literally a mile away from our home in Sandyford and the view from the Balcony of our apartment. The contrasts couldn't be more stark. During the winter the mountain can have snow accumulation where our district will have persistent rain instead. The Breeze that comes from the mountain keeps the temperatures considerably lower that those that would be recorded closer to the city centre and even during summer periods of warm weather the urban blocks stay rather cool mainly due to the proximity to the mountains and the height at which the district is above the rest of the city. ![Rural setting close to Sandyford Dublin][1] ![Urban Residence Sandyford Dublin][2] ## The measures I would employ to reduce UHI would be as Follows : ## 1: Legislate for the introduction of a green roof policy for all new builds, with varying types of cover i.e. : intensive green roofs that can be used as amenities for the local population Eg apartment complexes public buildings etc these can have every type of plant imaginable just like a suburban garden with trees, shrubs etc all dependent on structural integrity of the building and require regular tending. to extensive green roofs that are virally maintenance free and are I deal for domestic situations ad large block complex with poor roof top access. the benefits of this would be seen through the reduction of cooling energies required for each building with the knock on affect of reducing water run off and purification of grey water for non potable functions. It would also reduce heat absorption rates inherent with the use of traditional building materials. Green wales would also be encouraged and should have a similar effect. 2: Creation of car free districts with the focus on underground parking for residents under all developments and meeting density criteria under framework planning guidelines. These districts should have all amenities required for a successful community to thrive within 5mins walking distance of ones own front door with quick public transport links to other districts. This would reduce the pollutive affects of cars, and creative a noise free environment for people to enjoy as well as freeing up more space for extensive green areas and encouraging nature to thrive within the urban setting. 3: An increase of building distances between high density buildings with a focus on green areas in between utilising native tree species and water features to foster a more calm environment as well as keeping the below canopy layer cooler.. A reduction of private car access as well as a ban on all overground parking with the exception of disables/ mobility impaired access, public service vehicular access and emergency services thus deducting motor heat, pollution and the need for hard surface types such as asphalt with is a major contributor to increased Urban temperatures. ![Sandyford building with water feature and landscaping][3] ## UHI Policy in Dublin ## With the acceptance that Climate change is a reality local policy is coming around to the idea that even if a city like Dublin is currently unaffected or rarely affected by UHI effect that it cannot be taken for granted that this state quo will be maintained going forward. A green roof policy has been adopted for new builds as well as a de-emphasis on the car as a mode of transport. Cycling and public transport use are being prioritised and the prominence that the car once has has been greatly reduced as well as more positive approach to promoting green spaces and planting within new developments. Policy documents such as Dublin City’s County Development sets out the ground work for all future developments for the next eight years and beyond. http://www.dlrcoco.ie/files/devplan2016_2022/media/pdf/Written_Statement/Cover_Contents.pdf [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1462215935557288.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14622159705769346.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14622163137293581.jpg