Unlocking the Key to Cooling Megacities: How Urban Design Fights Heat
Urban morphology, or the layout of a city, plays a big role in the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHII). By studying the structure of buildings, green spaces, and human activities in cities, researchers found that areas with less open sky and more tall buildings tend to be hotter. In central Beijing, China, over 90% of the city experiences UHII, especially in the summer. Planting tall trees in densely populated areas can help cool things down. To reduce UHII in big cities, urban planning should consider the season, specific locations, and different urban features.