“URBAN HEAT ISLAND” EFFECT – THE DARK SIDE OF URBANIZATION

1. What is “Urban Heat Island”?
“Urban heat island” is defined as a phenomenon in which, at the same time, the average temperature in urban development areas with many man-made structures is higher than the average temperature in parks and rural areas with the surrounding natural environment. (1)

2. Causes of the “Urban Heat Island” Effect
The main cause of the “Urban Heat Island” Effect is the phenomenon of more and more vegetation and water being replaced by construction works to meet the needs of population growth in cities. (2)

Heat is absorbed by the earth’s surface from solar radiation when the sun shines. (2)

The heat generated by human activities includes heat from industrial activities, electricity production, domestic activities (mechanical cooling, heating, cooking, etc.), or from transportation (motorbikes, cars, etc.) …). Human-generated heat accounts for one-third of the heat in urban centers. It depends on the energy use patterns of urban residents and may have seasonal cycles. (2)

3.  Some solutions to reduce the “Urban Heat Island”

• Build green infrastructure improvements into regular street upgrades and capital improvement projects to ensure continued investment in heat-reducing measures. (3)
• Plant trees and other vegetation. Space in urban areas may be limited, but you can easily integrate small green buildings into grassy or barren areas, vacant lots, and street rights-of-way. (3)
• Build green roofs – Green roofs are an ideal heat island reduction strategy, providing both direct and ambient cooling effects. In addition, green roof improves air quality by reducing the heat island effect and absorbing pollutants. (3)

[REFERENCE]

1. Lam Anh. Large Cities Face the Urban Heat Island Phenomenon. Source: http://congtrinhxanhvietnam.vn/cac-thanh-pho-lon-doi-mat-voi-hien-tuong-dao-nhiet-do-thi-300366.html
2. Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy & Michael Waibel. 2021. Vietnam Country Report No. 2 2021: Urban Heat Island and Its Implications for Vietnam. Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355905756_Nguyen_TTT_Waibel_M_2021_Dao_nhiet_do_thi_va_nhung_he_luy_doi_voi_Viet_Nam_Bao_cao_Quoc_gia_Viet_Nam_Chinh_sach_moi_truong_o_Viet_Nam_So_2_2021_Nha_ Xuat_Ban_Thanh_Nien_TP_Ha_Noi_271-281
3. Many authors. 2023. Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect. Source: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/reduce-urban-heat-island-effect#:~:text=%22Urban%20heat%20islands%22%20occur%20when,heat%2Drelated%20illness% 20and%20mortality

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