Talking Point (#3) Urban Heat Island

Urban Heat Island effect occurs when heat is stored in our cities - in the asphalt, in building materials, and heat from exhaust and mechanical operations etc. You may have noticed it on a smaller scale walking in certain streets or buildings and at a city scale it can be a regional concern. Through physical design, heat island effect can be addressed through elements such as -

• Cool Roofs (reflective materials)
• Green Roofs (vegetation)
• Trees & Vegetation (parks, public spaces)
• Cool Pavements (permeable materials)

A University of Manchester study has even calculated that a mere 10% increase in the amount of green space in a city could reduce urban surface temperatures by as much as 4C.

PARK(ing) Day really can be is "cool" in both senses of the word.