Future Tense
Sweltering Cities – the cost of exponential urbanisation
Dec 10, 2023
This podcast explores the urban heat island effect and its impact on cities. It discusses solutions such as passive irrigation storage pits and district cooling systems. It also examines the impact of extreme heat on infrastructure and equipment and effective strategies to reduce health risks. Additionally, it talks about the development of an app to understand and mitigate heat stress.
29:08
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Quick takeaways
- The urban heat island effect is intensifying due to factors such as built environment, concrete, and increased car usage, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
- To combat extreme heat in cities, better government coordination, the appointment of Chief Heat Officers, and the implementation of comprehensive strategies are needed, prioritizing the most vulnerable populations and addressing environmental justice issues.
Deep dives
The Urban Heat Island Effect and its Impact on Cities
Cities tend to be several degrees hotter than the surrounding countryside, especially at night, due to the urban heat island effect. Factors such as the built environment, concrete, and roads store heat throughout the day and release it slowly at night. This effect is more pronounced in cities with a high population, concrete infrastructure, and increased car usage. For example, in Singapore, temperature differences between the city center and surrounding rainforest can reach up to seven degrees Celsius. With urbanization on the rise, the urban heat island effect is becoming a growing problem that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations.
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