Uploaded on 2016-03-18 by AgustinaFaifer

The City of Buenos Aires has an average annual temperature of 18ºC (64°F) and is 1.5 to 3.5 ºC degrees hotter than the surrounding areas, due to the Urban Heat Island effect. The rapid urban growth and the lack of urban planning generating more vehicles, pollution and less natural green areas or parks to create evapotranspiration effect contributes to increase de UHI effects in the city. ![City Centre of Buenos Aires][1] ![][2] The high density of the Metropolitan area and the lack of green areas create a contrast with the lower density of surrounding areas of Great Buenos Aires. **3. Which are the measures you would propose?** First i would increase the amount of green areas and green roofs in the metropolitan area. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends large cities to have, at least, between 10 and 15 m2 of green area per inhabitant. However, the City of Buenos Aires only has 6 m2 per inhabitant. Asphalt and concrete are the materials that absorb and radiate more heat so there use in ceilings and roofs greatly contributes to the heat island effect. Green roofs, on the other hand, are not only more reflective than dark ceilings , but also cool the air . Plants, in a green cover, absorbe soil moisture and evaporate it through their leaves, cooling the leaf surface and the surrounding air. Besides I would encourage the reduction of CO2 emissions by improving public transport and making it more efficient, reducing the amount of vehicles in the city center. **4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** I think the local administration is interested in environmental issues. In 2009 the City of Buenos Aires created the Interministerial Climate Change Team with the mission to develop an Action Plan that would allow the city to take action and prepare for the effects of global warming. This team, led by the Environmental Protection Agency , conceived the Action Plan as a dynamic and flexible tool to create policies against the adverse effects of climate change for the period 2010-2030. Some of these policies include: a- The installment of Green roofs and rooftops in public buildings. b- Economics and tax incentives for the installment of green roofs in private buildings . [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14582919911899177.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14582920905138492.jpg