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
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2017
Florida preparing to adjust to new building elevation requirements
New floodplain maps and state code changes loom.
Codes and Standards | Apr 5, 2017
Updated AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook released with significant enhancements
Updates provide guidance on how design and construction pros and emergency managers can work together to prepare for and respond to disasters.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2017
Planning for world’s first floating city underway
New approach to resiliency examined in French Polynesia.
Sustainability | Jan 24, 2017
From an industrial park to an eco-neighborhood in Brussels, Belgium
At the heart of Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ eco-neighborhood will be three 100-meter-tall Vertical Forests.
Resiliency | Nov 3, 2016
Future-proofing urban waterfronts
CallisonRTKL’s Nathan Cherry discusses hurricanes, the San Francisco waterfront, and how we can future-proof our urban waterfronts.
Resiliency | Oct 5, 2016
San Francisco’s 181 Fremont will become the most earthquake-resilient building on the West Coast
The building has achieved REDi Gold Rating, resilience-based design guidelines developed by Arup that establish a new benchmark for seismic construction.
Sustainability | Sep 22, 2016
Is ‘Growroom’ a glimpse into the future of urban agriculture?
Growroom’s spherical shape means it can also double as a covered outdoor public space.
Regulations | Aug 31, 2016
FEMA wants to toughen flood regulation on projects using federal funds
The proposal ‘would essentially rewrite the current 100-year flood standard.’
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 22, 2016
The Hills of Governors Island reach completion one year ahead of schedule
The man made hills are the latest attraction to open on the island that has been under development since 2006.
Resiliency | Aug 10, 2016
White House pushes for better finance strategies for disaster mitigation and resilience
The move highlights innovative insurance, mortgage, tax, and finance-based strategies.
