Uploaded on 2016-03-27 by IoliTrip

San Diego up to 23 °F hotter than nearby rural areas Seattle up to 17 °F hotter than nearby rural areas Austin up to 15 °F hotter than nearby rural areas **2.Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area?** I live in the suburbs of the city of Athens in Greece. The city center have faced dramatic change in the temperature the last 20 years with a significant rise of temperature. The temperature in Athens during the cold months ranges between 15 C - 19 C with the lowest and much more infequent temperature reaching a 7C. In the summer the city center is unbearable with a temperature range between 29 C - 35 C. Living in the suburbs is much more pleasant than the city center. The fact that the suburbs are adjacent to the mountain but also the fact that there are more open areas (parks - groves etc) as well as pedestrian and smaller streets that are surrounded by trees that offer shaded spaces and allows natural ventilation of the whole area urge the citizens to move around on a bike or on foot. On the contrary the center of Athens is densely populated with high buildings that surround large streets with high traffic and is in need of a public and green space network. ![athens center][1] ![suburbs][2] [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14590858811313569.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14590859148606273.jpg **3.Which are the measures you would propose?** First of all i would try to restrict the circulation of private vehicles in the city centre and also create a functional and helpful public transportation. In addition i would create a bike line network in order to encourage the bike circulation downtown. I also think that creating a network of public spaces (squares - parks - pedestrian streets) is vital for the livability of a city because in such spaces is where public life happens. And finally i would promote green areas in public but also domestic buliding such as atriums, green terraces and balkonies for the enhance of the so-called vertical green. **4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area?** I believe there is a serious discussion happening nowadays compared to the past but little things actually change because of the lack on economic resources and on political stability and determination.