urban heat island
Metropolitan temperature anomaly
An urban heat island is a metropolitan area significantly warmer than surrounding rural land, caused by concrete, asphalt, and buildings absorbing and retaining heat while vegetation loss reduces natural cooling.
The effect intensifies at night when structures slowly release stored heat: Downtown was ten degrees warmer than the suburbs—a classic urban heat island effect.
Areas blocking water infiltration
- asphaltPetroleum-based paving material
- concreteSolid building mixture
- buildingsConstructed enclosed structures
- air conditioningIndoor cooling system
vehicle emissions · pavement · tar · brick · glass facades · energy consumption
Localized atmospheric zone
- surface temperatureWarmth at outer layer
- air temperatureHeat level of atmosphere
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
albedo · anthropogenic · boundary layer · thermal mass · warming trend
Upper surfaces of buildings
- roadwaysPaved vehicle passages
- parking lotsPaved areas for vehicles
- building materialsSubstances for erecting structures
- storm drainsUnderground channels for runoff
utilities · HVAC systems · power grid · transit stations · plazas · sidewalks · streetscape · land use
Sun-deflecting roof surfaces
- green roofsPlant-covered building tops
- tree canopyUpper forest layer
- shade structuresBuilt covers blocking sunlight
- parksPublic recreation grounds
white roofs · passive cooling · zoning reform · cooling centers
Quantity of energy required
- cooling costsMoney spent lowering temperature
- water qualityCondition of H2O supply
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
- vulnerable populationsGroups disproportionately susceptible to harm
impervious surfaces
Areas blocking water infiltration
- asphaltPetroleum-based paving material
- concreteSolid building mixture
- buildingsConstructed enclosed structures
air conditioning · vehicle emissions · pavement · tar · brick · glass facades · energy consumption
microclimate
Localized atmospheric zone
- surface temperatureWarmth at outer layer
- air temperatureHeat level of atmosphere
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
radiation · albedo · anthropogenic · boundary layer · thermal mass · warming trend
rooftops
Upper surfaces of buildings
- roadwaysPaved vehicle passages
- parking lotsPaved areas for vehicles
- building materialsSubstances for erecting structures
storm drains · utilities · HVAC systems · power grid · transit stations · plazas · sidewalks · streetscape · land use · zoning
cool roofs
Sun-deflecting roof surfaces
- green roofsPlant-covered building tops
- tree canopyUpper forest layer
- shade structuresBuilt covers blocking sunlight
parks · white roofs · passive cooling · zoning reform · cooling centers
energy demand
Quantity of energy required
- cooling costsMoney spent lowering temperature
- water qualityCondition of H2O supply
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
- microclimatesfrost pocket, rain shadow, sun trap, lake effect, fog belt
- heatthermal energy, heatwave, radiation, convection, insulators
- building healthsick building, mold exposure, radon, asbestos, carbon monoxide
- urban naturepigeon, pigeons, sparrow, sparrows, squirrel
- urbanismneighborhood, subway, sidewalk, traffic, transit
- mesoscale weathersquall lines, supercells, derechos, microbursts, downbursts
urban heat islandrural area
Low-density agricultural region
countryside · green space · forest · parkland · natural landscape
urban heat islandgreen roof
Vegetation-covered rooftop system
cool roof · urban forest · white roof · living wall · urban greening
heat, heated, island, urban, heating, reheat, suburban, islands, preheat