Uploaded on 2016-04-03 by Liss-GV

Cusco is a city located in the southeast of Perú and the west side of the Andes Cordillera, elevation: 3.399m over sea level, weather average: 15°C, wind: NE 3km/h, humidity: 51%. Cusco is not a big city, we do not have high building or a clear business center so there is not a lot of street canyons, however streets are narrow and that made possible the sense of Urban Heat Island effect. Also, the geometry of streets contribute that radiation to be captured and remains in the street canyon due to the multiple reflections and the lack of green areas or parks contribute to build up of heat in some places, specially where is high density of traffic during day hours. Another problem that increase the Urban Heat Island effect in Cusco is that the climate is changeable and that should require a good thermal design on buildings, instead of that, new buildings do not consider the sense of heat on daytime and cold on night time, temperature could vary from 4°C to 20°C in a normal day, that make uncontrollable use of air condition in the morning and heating machine at night, contribute to build up the urban heat island effect and also the pollution. In the other hand, thermal conditions on surrounding areas (which are close to the city center) are clearly more confortable because of the environmental, landscape and building characteristics. ![Cusco city][1] Cusco city ![surrounding rural area][2] surrounding rural area **3. Which are the measures you would propose?** To create a confortable city and enhance the urban quality, I would increase the developing of green areas into the actual city center and also in the future business center for new urban plans. I would put in place regulations to limit the amount of energy required for a building to function, depending on its use, to a more sustainable figure. In addition, there would be more regulations for CO2 emissions, which increase the pollution and sense of heating. **4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** In Cusco there is not a plan or concerning policy about Urban Heat Island Effect, however the Provincial Government has taken some actions to regulate and reduce vehicular transportation into the city center that has so narrow streets that contributed that people to walk necessary, perhaps their anger. That kind of regulation could lightly reduce the effects of UHI, but I think this city needs even more specific plans to achieve a thermal comfort. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14597007606127594.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14597007947067838.jpg