Mesoscale meteorological and air quality impacts of increased urban albedo and vegetation

Taha, Haider; Douglas, S.G.; Haney, Jay

doi:10.1016/s0378-7788(96)01006-7

Cited by 86 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The mostly horizontal configuration of the city increases the urban albedo, as noted by Aida & Gotoh (1982). The use of light colours (houses are generally whitewashed or painted in light colours) would further increase the urban reflectance (twice as much as modern cities; Taha et al 1997). The roofs, being the main exposed surfaces, need to be carefully designed.…”

Section: Urban Fabricmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria

Ali-Toudert¹,

Djenane²,

Bensalem³

et al. 2005

Clim. Res.

140

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The present study addresses the issue of outdoor thermal comfort in a hot and dry climate in relation to urban geometry. This experimental work, conducted in an old desert city, aims to provide some quantitative knowledge on the effectiveness of traditional design forms in ensuring a comfortable thermal environment outdoors under extreme summer conditions. The study focused on the role of the geometry of urban canyons. Air temperature, air humidity and wind speed were measured during summer 2003 in various urban streets in the old Saharan city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria (32.40°N). The short-wave and long-wave radiation fluxes received by a human body from the 3D surroundings were also measured in order to allow an accurate calculation of the heat gained by a pedestrian. Bio-meteorological methodology was used and thermal comfort was expressed by means of the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) index. The results show that the heat stress in a hot-dry climate is very high in unobstructed locations in contrast to sheltered urban sites. The vertical street profile is of prime importance in the resulting thermal sensation. Building materials were also found to play a decisive role. Deep streets together with high thermal capacity materials mitigate the heat stress in the daytime. The high and heavy walls provide more shading and more heat storage, leading to lower surfaces temperatures. Hence, a human body absorbs less short-wave radiation owing to reduced direct exposure, and also less radiant heat from the surrounding environment is absorbed by the body. In contrast, air temperature and air humidity show little dependence on the urban geometry. Therefore, these factors are less relevant indicators for outdoor thermal comfort in the summertime.

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Section: Urban Fabricmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria

Ali-Toudert¹,

Djenane²,

Bensalem³

et al. 2005

Clim. Res.

140

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“…Increase the albedo on roofs as a mitigation strategy is important, given the size of the city that corresponds to the roofs; therefore, it is logical to consider options for reducing the thermal load on them. For example, an increase in the albedo 0.07 on surfaces of buildings and roads can decrease by up to 2˚C ambient temperature [24] [25]. Estimates indicate that by reducing the solar radiation absorbed by roads and parking lots from 90% to 65% the peak air temperature can decrease by 0.6˚C [26].…”

Section: Mitigation Of Urban Heat Islandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Urban Planning: The Case of the Mexicali, B. C. Mexico

Villanueva-Solís¹

2017

AJCC

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The derivations of climate change on cities and their activities depend on their capacity for adaptation and mitigation. In this sense, it has long recognized the influence of cities on their own climate, which is typically warmer than the surrounding. This phenomenon called urban heat island (UHI) has a number of impacts on air quality, water demand and energy. Since the fourth IPCC assessment report indicates the need for urban centers devoting efforts to adaptation to reduce the risks of direct and indirect impacts of climate change. The same organization recognizes the urban planning as a tool to seek such order. However, it also recognizes that the current scale of climate models cannot provide a representation of urban areas. This paper explores the intensification of the UHI, its relationship with urban expansion and its impact on housing in the city of Mexicali, B.C. Its aim is to determine its impact and mitigation potential through analysis and modeling of urban structure, expressed in use and land cover, as well as the implementation of mitigation strategies. The results show on the one hand, the convenience of using dynamic modeling as a tool applied to urban planning with a focus on mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, regarding the implementation of strategies, the results show that most efficiency is obtained when applied generally, this is, considering green and cool roofs, cool pavements and afforestation as part of urbanization process, otherwise, only partial results are achieved. Overall, housing land use has significant potential to mitigate the UHI in the city.

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“…In Chicago, an increase in tree cover by 10%, or planting about three trees per building lot, could reduce the total energy for heating and cooling by US$ 50-90 per dwelling unit per year (McPherson et al, 1997). Taha et al (1997) found that urban trees could cool the city on the average by about 0.3-1.0 0 C, and total annual energy savings could attain US$ 10-35/100 m 2 of roof area of residential and commercial buildings. The urban trees in Los Angeles could potentially save about US$ 93 million of energy use per year and could reduce peak power demand by 0.9 GW (Akbari, 2002).…”

Section: Microclimate Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Climate Change, Water Crisis and Forest Ecosystem Services in Beijing, China

Zhang¹

2011

Climate Change - Socioeconomic Effects

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Mesoscale meteorological and air quality impacts of increased urban albedo and vegetation

Cited by 86 publications

References 7 publications

Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria

Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria

Urban Heat Island Mitigation and Urban Planning: The Case of the Mexicali, B. C. Mexico

The Climate Change, Water Crisis and Forest Ecosystem Services in Beijing, China

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