Urban Microclimates and Their Relationship with Social Isolation: A Review

David B. Olawade (), Melissa McLaughlin, Yinka Julianah Adeniji, Gabriel Osasumwen Egbon, Arghavan Rahimi and Stergios Boussios
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David B. Olawade: Department of Allied and Public Health, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London E16 2RD, UK
Melissa McLaughlin: School of Health and Care Management, Arden University, Arden House, Middlemarch Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ, UK
Yinka Julianah Adeniji: Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology Akure, Akure 340252, Nigeria
Gabriel Osasumwen Egbon: Department of Industrial Chemistry, Madonna University, Port Harcourt 431125, Nigeria
Arghavan Rahimi: School of Health and Care Management, Arden University, Arden House, Middlemarch Park, Coventry CV3 4FJ, UK
Stergios Boussios: Department of Research and Innovation, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham ME7 5NY, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-32

Abstract: Urban microclimates, which include phenomena such as urban heat islands (UHIs) as well as cooler environments created by shaded areas and green spaces, significantly affect social behavior and contribute to varying levels of social isolation in cities. UHIs, driven by heat-absorbing materials like concrete and asphalt, can increase urban temperatures by up to 12 °C, discouraging outdoor activities, especially among vulnerable populations like the elderly and those with chronic health conditions. In contrast, shaded areas and green spaces, where temperatures can be 2–5 °C cooler, encourage outdoor engagement and foster social interaction. This narrative review aims to synthesize current literature on the relationship between urban microclimates and social isolation, focusing on how UHIs and shaded areas influence social engagement. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, selecting sources based on their relevance to the effects of localized climate variations on social behavior, access to green spaces, and the impact of urban design interventions. A total of 142 articles were initially identified, with 103 included in the final review after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Key studies from diverse geographical and cultural contexts were analyzed to understand the interplay between environmental conditions and social cohesion. The review found that UHIs exacerbate social isolation by reducing outdoor activities, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and individuals with chronic health issues. In contrast, shaded areas and green spaces significantly mitigate isolation, with evidence showing that in specific study locations such as urban parks in Copenhagen and Melbourne, such areas increase outdoor social interactions by up to 25%, reduce stress, and enhance community cohesion. Urban planners and policymakers should prioritize integrating shaded areas and green spaces in city designs to mitigate the negative effects of UHIs. These interventions are critical for promoting social resilience, reducing isolation, and fostering connected, climate-adaptive communities. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and the application of smart technologies such as IoT sensors and urban monitoring systems to track the social benefits of microclimate interventions.

Keywords: urban heat islands; social isolation; green spaces; microclimates; urban planning; community engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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