Uploaded on 2017-10-12 by Tatiana Ovsiannikova (Татьяна Овсянникова)

Module 4 - compulsory Exercise: Heat island effect 2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? I live in a big city Tomsk (Siberia, Russia). But I also have a house in the suburbs of Tomsk. And I have the opportunity to compare climatic conditions in the city and suburbs. Usually, if the weather is hot, the city air temperature is higher than in the suburbs. And if the weather is frosty, then in the suburbs is much colder than in the city. The difference may be about 3-4 degrees Celsius. The reasons for these temperature differences are the following: 1. Dense urban environment with buildings are constructed mainly of concrete and stone. These materials have a high coefficient of heat absorption. They are heating by the sun and keeping warm for a long time. 2. Roads also have a dark bituminous concrete surface, which also heats up under the sun. 3. A huge number of vehicles in the city. Transport emissions also increase the air temperature. 4. At night the streets of the city are highlighted, illuminated by billboards. My place of residence is located in continental dry climate, that’s why the “urban heat island” phenomena is not significant expressed. 3. Which are the measures you would propose? If I could take part in the decision-making process of an initiative related to the UHI effect, I would propose the following measures: First, it would increase the area of parks, green areas, squares with a lot of trees & flows. Secondly to mitigate temperature fluctuations to make the artificial ponds and fountains/ In the third, it would reduce traffic by creating a bypass road. These measures let make the more livable environment to the citizens. 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? The city government tries to solve the problem with a traffic flow reduction, but until it is received. Construction of a bypass road stopped, as there is no funding. As for parks, the urban development plan envisages several parks with gardens and fountains.