Uploaded on 2016-04-30 by paulinafeijoo

![Urban Heat Island USA][1] In the data shown in this table we can say that the city of Las Vegas overhangs the temperatures reached and being so far the city where has witnessed the biggest difference between urban and rural temperatures of all American cities analyzed . 2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? Quito has a subtropical highland climate, is at 2850 meters above sea level and is located in a valley near the equator. General two climate stages are defined throughout the year: the winter with a prolonged rains and the prevalence of weather and climate events such as hail and the four-month dry season where the highest temperatures are presented. Quito always has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 10 to 27 ° C. It keeps warm conditions all year except for the months of June to September, especially during the afternoon. Quito is divided into 3 areas; southern, central, and north; the south is the coldest of the city because it is the highest area, the center is hot, where you always get the highest temperatures and the north is tempered. The valleys are surrounding the city have warmer temperatures reaching 30 ° C at noon. After this introduction about the weather in Quito, we can refer to some of the significant effects of the urban heat island has been presented in this city: 1. Due to its geographical position, the city of Quito receives extreme levels of solar radiation throughout the year, being one of the places on earth to receive more: reaching up to 24 UVI. This combined with the decrease in the ozone layer has caused a significant increase in health, rising number of people with skin cancer, heat-related illness and mortality. 2. Although in our climate it is not common to use air conditioning in homes, the use of it has gone up in private cars which in turn cause air conditioning costs. In recent years has increased the use of heating especially at night in certain areas of the city. 3. Emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases constitute the biggest problem of Quito, because since it came into force the dollar as currency in the country, the purchasing power of citizens increased as the vehicle fleet, as the system public transport is saturated and inefficient . In addition to that, we want you to provide two images; the first one of a city and the second one of its surrounding rural area (preferably one of those areas is your place of residence). Compare the two images in terms of reasons that contribute to the UHI effect of the city. Place: Quito city. Mariscal Sucre, is an urban parish located in the north - center of Quito department. ![Mariscal Sucre Sector - Quito Ecuador][2] Place: Tambillo A rural parish of Mejia department, located south of the province of Pichincha. ![Tambillo Rural Parish - Mejía Canton][3] The temperature on a hot and sunny summer day on the surfaces of the city as floors, walls and ceilings would be higher than air temperature, while in a rural area , wet surfaces and shaded be maintained to same temperature. At dusk, the peak electricity demand increases because the office on a hot summer afternoon put to work the air conditioning systems, lighting and appliances in homes. The limited vegetation and green areas at Quito, contribute to increased temperature for pedestrians those receiving the heat reflective floor and facades of buildings which reduces their comfort leading to private car use by increasing the emission of gases into the atmosphere. La Mariscal is a compact sector of buildings with a tourist and commercial nature, where you can see a large anthropogenic activity and for sure, we can find here the phenomena of urban heat island. Due to its implementation and geomorphology, the city of Quito is characterized by narrow and elongated wherein the width of most streets and avenues lead to the street canyon effect of increasing the temperature of buildings. In conclusion, the microclimate that is created around the buildings differs significantly between these urban and rural areas. 3. Which are the measures you would propose? To reduce UHI effect the measures that could I propose to reduce it and provide a more livable environment to the citizens, begin by educating and informing the population about the issue, the possible solutions and involve as part of it. An important role and should highlight would be the approach of public policies that include forestation projects in urban and rural areas; that urban planning and design incorporates more trees and parks and that the areas of ecological value and nature reserves being efficiently protected and are not absorbed by urbanization. Maybe change the ordinances by zoning codes or create ones that promote the construction of parks and public spaces between built-up areas. Promote green building standards, green roofs and the use of reflective materials (white roofs) on the houses and especially of industrial facilities. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? I'm more than sure that in my country very few people know or study about the UHI effect therefore there are no specific policies that fight it. But one of the most significant problems of the city that I can talk about is the increased use of private motor, so the City Hall of Quito -from the previous administration- wants to resolve the public transportation problem, building the first subway line for the first time in the country and is expected to reduce the use of private transport which would help lower emissions of greenhouse gases . [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14619885769931079.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1461988611615580.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1461988763331127.jpg