Sustainable Urban Development for Heat Adaptation of Small and Medium Sized Communities

Niels Wollschläger, Felix Zinck and Uwe Schlink ()
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Niels Wollschläger: Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
Felix Zinck: Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
Uwe Schlink: Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: Due to climate change, urban populations will be affected by worsening heat stress. The use of blue–green infrastructure can be an effective countermeasure for urban planners. In this study, the ENVI-met modelling system is used to investigate the impacts of different heat adaptation strategies, such as additional urban trees, irrigation policies, and the use of high reflective surface materials. However, under certain local conditions, these measures can have conflicting effects, e.g., trees can provide shadow but also reduce the cooling ventilation. To address such conflicts, we developed an online tool visualising urban climate simulation data and applying a new decomposition algorithm that translates the biophysical processes (i.e., radiation, ventilation, evapotranspiration, and heat storage) into surface temperature changes during heat wave events. This approach allows us to (1) identify factors responsible for heat, (2) comparatively evaluate heat mitigation of different land development scenarios, and (3) find trade-offs for conflicting adaptation measures. This online tool can support the decision-making of local stakeholders.

Keywords: urban climate; green infrastructure; heat adaptation; micrometeorology; ENVI-met (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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