A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Urban Heat Islands and sustainable urbanity:an application agenda for tropical mega-cities
The urban heat island effect exemplifies the myriad of pressing environmental problems facing the rapidly growing tropical mega-cities. While the climatic consequences of urbanization are apparent in all cities, tropical mega-cities are doubly disadvantaged on account of the already oppressive heat being made worse by the deteriorating urban climate and the lack of financial resources and political will to re-direct urban growth towards a qualitatively more favourable outcome. The magnitude of the problem often leads to a paralysis of inaction. This is further confounded by the relative paucity of research knowledge on the UHI phenomenon in tropical cities. Based on my work in advocating a shade-oriented approach to mitigate the negative consequences of UHIs in tropical cities, this paper examines the research progress during the 1965-2010 period in tropical cities with respect to three key design approaches: urban shading, urban ventilation and urban greening. It then presents three emerging policy prescriptions that not only tackle the untended climatic consequences of urbanization but also address sustainability in a tangible and resource-efficient manner to enhance the quality-of-life of urban dwellers. First, the net effect of urban climate changes super-imposed on regional changes in tropical cities is the increasing need for building cooling energy. This is especially the case in tropical South and Southeast Asia where, combined with rapid economic growth, urban climate change is leading to an increase in air conditioning energy demand. Planning strategies that address urban climate change can not only enhance the urban energy efficiency but also reduce national and even regional carbon footprint, which lead to immediate and tangible economic benefits to urban dwellers. Second, a policy focus on “urban climate change potential” enables urban planners and policy makers to consider the “whole life value” of urban developmental actions. The city is local enough of an arena for local political action to have ...
Urban Heat Islands and sustainable urbanity:an application agenda for tropical mega-cities
The urban heat island effect exemplifies the myriad of pressing environmental problems facing the rapidly growing tropical mega-cities. While the climatic consequences of urbanization are apparent in all cities, tropical mega-cities are doubly disadvantaged on account of the already oppressive heat being made worse by the deteriorating urban climate and the lack of financial resources and political will to re-direct urban growth towards a qualitatively more favourable outcome. The magnitude of the problem often leads to a paralysis of inaction. This is further confounded by the relative paucity of research knowledge on the UHI phenomenon in tropical cities. Based on my work in advocating a shade-oriented approach to mitigate the negative consequences of UHIs in tropical cities, this paper examines the research progress during the 1965-2010 period in tropical cities with respect to three key design approaches: urban shading, urban ventilation and urban greening. It then presents three emerging policy prescriptions that not only tackle the untended climatic consequences of urbanization but also address sustainability in a tangible and resource-efficient manner to enhance the quality-of-life of urban dwellers. First, the net effect of urban climate changes super-imposed on regional changes in tropical cities is the increasing need for building cooling energy. This is especially the case in tropical South and Southeast Asia where, combined with rapid economic growth, urban climate change is leading to an increase in air conditioning energy demand. Planning strategies that address urban climate change can not only enhance the urban energy efficiency but also reduce national and even regional carbon footprint, which lead to immediate and tangible economic benefits to urban dwellers. Second, a policy focus on “urban climate change potential” enables urban planners and policy makers to consider the “whole life value” of urban developmental actions. The city is local enough of an arena for local political action to have ...
Urban Heat Islands and sustainable urbanity:an application agenda for tropical mega-cities
Emmanuel, Rohinton (author) / Hebbert, Michael / Jankovic, Vladimir / Webb, Brian
2011-01-01
Emmanuel , R 2011 , Urban Heat Islands and sustainable urbanity : an application agenda for tropical mega-cities . in M Hebbert , V Jankovic & B Webb (eds) , City weathers : Meteorology and urban design 1950-2010 . , 10 , Manchester Architecture Research Centre , Manchester , pp. 75-80 , City Weathers: Meteorology and Urban design 1950-2010 , Manchester , United Kingdom , 23/06/11 . < http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/architecture/research/csud/workshop/2011CityWeathers.pdf >
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
urban climate , urban heat island , urban planning , /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/affordable_and_clean_energy , name=SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy , /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/decent_work_and_economic_growth , name=SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth , /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/sustainable_cities_and_communities , name=SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities , /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/climate_action , name=SDG 13 - Climate Action