The urban heat island is actually pretty cool

By Barny Evans 2024-09-25T06:00:00

There is a lot of fuzzy thinking about the higher temperatures experienced in urban areas. The benefits could be life-saving and should not be dismissed, says Barny Evans at Turley

I was supporting a major housing development recently in a semi-rural location in central England. I noticed the local policy requires the minimisation of the urban heat island (UHI). It reminded me to write on this issue, which I think is misunderstood, much maligned and probably a good thing.

The UHI is the effect of higher temperatures experienced in urban areas compared to rural areas. The effect is most noticeable in the evenings.

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