Cooling urban heat islands with sustainable landscapes

Abstract

This paper is directed to the policy-makers who are responsible for urban design and its climatological consequences. It summarizes our current knowledge on the structure, energetics, and mitigation of the urban heat island. Special attention is given to physical features of the environment that can be easily manipulated, particularly vegetation. Prototypical designs illustrate how concepts of sustainable landscapes and urban climatology can be applied to counteract urban warming in street canyons, parking lots, urban parks, and residential streets. In a previous study (McPherson 1990a), sustainable landscapes were defined as multi-functional, low maintenance, biologically diverse, and expressive of "place." Mitigation of urban heat islands by landscapes can contribute to the sustainability of our cities. Because most electric utilities experience peak demands during summer because of air-conditioning loads, this paper addresses mitigation of summertime heat islands, while recognizing that winter heat islands can be beneficial in cities with cool climates.

Citation

McPherson, E. Gregory. 1994. Cooling urban heat islands with sustainable landscapes. In: Platt, Rutherford H.; Rowntree, Rowan A.; Muick, Pamela C.; eds. The ecological city: preserving and restoring urban biodiversity. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press: 151-171.