As temperatures in many areas hit record highs this summer, cities around the world are turning to creative solutions to cope with urban heat gain, according to a Fast Company report.
The city of Arnhem in the Netherlands is rethinking its road system, looking for opportunities to reduce paved areas. The city is evaluating which roads are underused with the idea of shrinking traffic lanes and replanting these areas with greenery. This would reduce the “heat island” effect.
Abu Dhabi is testing features to make being outside more comfortable in extreme heat. In one park, the United Arab Emirates city has installed shades that roll back at night to let hot air escape, along with strategically placed walls that help channel breezes, shade benches, and misting devices.
A few cities are looking to plant new trees in strategic locations. Dallas and Phoenix will add trees to paths that students use to walk to school. Medellin, Colombia, now has a network of 30 corridors planted with thousands of trees to walk and bike across the city more comfortably.
Some cities have focused efforts on the less fortunate. Phoenix has been providing homeless people with free rides to cooling centers. New York City offers free white paint coatings for roofs on some buildings, including low-income housing.
More cities and counties have created new “chief heat officer” positions to focus on resilience in the face of a hotter climate. These officials have been tasked with coordinating efforts to make extreme heat more bearable in their communities.
Related Stories
Resiliency | Jul 27, 2016
New York’s resilience plans not taking long-term view, critics charge
Continued waterfront development may be regretted later this century.
Resiliency | Jul 18, 2016
Impact fees on development proposed to fund Miami’s rising sea level resiliency plans
$400 million flood plan includes new valves, pumps, and raised roadways.
Resiliency | Jun 1, 2016
Federal agencies boost standards for more resilient construction
HUD, FEMA, GSA, Army Corps of Engineers make policy changes.
Green | May 31, 2016
Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee
Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.
Resiliency | May 12, 2016
Resilience Building Coalition releases progress report
The coalition released a set of guiding principles to help the building industry adopt resilient design and policies. Since the initial signing, the coalition has added 19 new signatories.
Architects | May 11, 2016
AIA to create a resilience curriculum for architects
The program will teach resilient design and decision-making on hazard mitigation, climate adaptation and community resilience.
Legislation | May 11, 2016
Two bills seek to expand flood insurance policy writing to private carriers
Thanks to new floodplain maps, this market, previously the sole province of a federal program, looks more profitable.
Resiliency | May 2, 2016
Connecticut to develop new code standards for resiliency
Expected more frequent severe weather events due to climate change prompts review.
Resiliency | Apr 6, 2016
Houston at high risk for major damage from hurricanes
After a decade of study, little has been done to improve resiliency.
Resiliency | Mar 24, 2016
HGA and Perkins+Will join National Resilience Initiative Network
The Minneapolis offices of the two firms will partner with the University of Minnesota College of Design in the Upper Midwest hub of the NRI network.
