Uploaded on 2017-06-14 by Brandon Westerling

Module 4 - compulsory Exercise: Heat island effect As was explained in the lectures of this week, an urban heat island (UHI) is a city or metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than its surrounding rural areas due to human activities. 1. Check the temperature differences in US cities In this first part of the exercise, we would like you to follow the link to the Climate Central website and check the temperature differences that have been recorded in US cities and their surrounding rural areas due to UHI effect. 2. Which are the main UHI effects that you can identify in your area? Now that you saw the significant effect of UHI in the US cities, can you provide data and information for your own place of residence? In Boston, it would be lack of vegetation, abundance of paved surfaces, dark roofs, few green roofs 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. 3. Which are the measures you would propose? If you could take part in the decision-making process of an initiative related to the UHI effect, which are the measures that you would propose in order to reduce it and provide a more livable environment to the citizens? Increase vegetation wherever possible Eliminate dark roofs Encourage green roofs Incorporate UHI effects in development planning Replace paved surfaces with cooler alternatives wherever possible 4. Is UHI effect concerning policy making in your area? Do you know of policies in your community that are planned to reduce the UHI effect? Provide us with information regarding any visible results. No, mostly the issue is just in analysis with no real execution. Issue is attracting interest though.