On a sweltering summer day, rooftop and asphalt surface temperatures can be 27– 50°C hotter than the air, while the temperatures of shaded surfaces, more common in rural environments, stay near air temperatures. As rapid development and urbanization takes hold, several distinctive negative effects such as environmental pollution and production of waste heat takes place. This drives changes in physical and chemical properties in the environment. One of these changes, specifically the rise in temperatures in heavily urbanized areas, is known as urban heat island (UHI). These urban heat islands, especially during summer, have numerous deleterious effects and contribute to climatic urban warmth islands. Air temperatures in urban areas, especially
Another study by Li Yang et al. (2016) defined urban heat island (UHI) effect as a heat accumulation phenomenon, which is the most obvious characteristic of urban climate caused by urban construction and human being activities. Urban heat island effect is first discovered by British chemist Luke Howard at 19th century, demonstrated that temperatures in London were consistently warmer than those at sites outside the city. Heat islands develop when a large portion of the natural land cover in an area is replaced by built surfaces like roads and buildings. These structures trap incoming solar radiation during the daylight hours and release it at night. These perilous heat wave that has been trapped and released from the building threatened the ecosystem balance and human
In a study by Soltania and Sharific (2016) states that the magnitude of urban–rural temperature differences at Adelaide metropolitan area is usually higher at night time when compared to daytime, which alters from a minimum of 1.5 oC in the early afternoon to a maximum of 5.9 oC in midnight during summer. This happens because the urban surface materials gained the heat from the solar during the day under clear sky and release those heat during night.
In this paper, we have identified several significant factors that contribute to the formation of urban heat island based on different research. Those factors are colour and type of materials use for pavement and roofs, lack of evapotranspiration, geometric effects of buildings, and waste heat generated by energy usage. A study by Mohajerani, Bakaric, and Jeffrey-Bailey (2017) in Australia showed
In The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, the account of the evolution of Ebola—where it originated and how it spread throughout Africa and other parts of the world before finally making its way to the United States—the point of view was not biased or fallacious, though it may have been slightly exaggerated. However, despite this, it was also the perfect choice of point of view to tell the story in.
global temperature, caused by an increase in greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the blanket of gases surrounding
Many Americans would be shocked to learn that the American Dream may be the cause
Gentrification brings in money and good investments into poor neighborhood, but the money and investments does not help the old residents; it only helps real estate agents. Gentrification may also make the city safer and cleaner than before but it harms old residents. The idea of gentrification is bad because prices goes up and with prices going up, people are either losing their homes or businesses or both. Gentrification affects old residents and business in a bad way, which causes the old residents to leave because of the rich taking over.
Urban sprawl is a widespread concern that impacts land use, transportation, social and economic development, and most importantly our health. Poorly planned development is threatening our health, our environment and our quality of life. Sprawl is blamed for many things such as asthma and global warming, flooding and erosion, extinction of wildlife, and most importantly the public health such as social isolation and obesity due to people driving everywhere. Building offices, homes, shops, schools and other buildings influences the building of roads, transit and other transportation modes. This relationship that can lead to safe, walkable, diverse and lively communities or out of control, poorly planned urban sprawl. Unfortunately sprawl has been winning and the public health is at risk.
For a significant number of years it has been evident that global temperatures were rising and that human activity is a major contributing factor to this rise. The rise in temperature is not only heating the planet but having an adverse effect on the global climate.
One of the main causes of climate change is the massive amounts of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide that is being released into the air. This causes pollution in the air and, subsequently warms the Earth. By the end of the century, Earth is expected to raise about 2 degrees (Adams). The implications of a global pollution are potentially disastrous; industrialized cities and cities with high traffic are set for massive negative
Because the Earth is slowly warming up, heat waves, for example, have been occurring more frequently and for longer durations. According to the Climate Communications, “In 2010, 19 countries set new all-time record high temperatures, but not a single country set a new all-time record…” (Overview). Comparing this to Gore’s speech, eighteen countries have experienced all new highs in heat since the European heat wave in 2003. This increase in temperature is due to the shifting of the climates in specific regions as an after effect of global warming.
In this regard, city authorities all over the world are increasingly adopting energy efficiency measures in a quest to become sustainable into the future. Consequently, this has led to the emergence of the term ‘green cities’ (Aulisi & Hanson, 2004). New York City, viewed by many as an urban, concrete jungle, was recently named the “greenest city" in the United States. This is mainly because most of its residents live in energy-efficient buildings, and use public transport, bicycl...
Climate change is evidenced through shifts in the weather patterns such as winds, humidity and temperatures over certain durations. Natural climate changes occur less frequently and they are triggered by factors related geographical aspects as well as solar radiation. The earth’s movement on the orbit triggers changes in climate causing some areas to have higher temperatures than usual while others are significantly cold depending on the position of the earth on the orbit. The heat form the sun causes changes on the stratospheric ozone and it increases the amount of greenhouse gases. Heat from the oceanic crust also contributes to warming as a result of episodic hydrothermal venting (Liao & Sandeberg, 2012). Volcanic activity also causes a release of certain elements that may block the sun and also contribute to increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Nowadays, more than half of the world population lives in cities. Urban populations consume 75% of the world 's natural resources and generate 75% of waste. Cities have become consumers of enormous amounts of natural resources and generating massive environmental
The Negative Effects of Urbanization on People and their Environment As our world becomes increasingly globalized, numerous people travel to urban areas in search of economic prosperity. As a consequence of this, cities in periphery countries expand at rates of 4 to 7 percent annually. Many cities offer entrepreneurs the potential for resources, labor, and resources. With prosperity, cities also allow the freedom of a diversity of ways of life and manners (Knox & Marston, 2012). However, in the quest to be prosperous, increasing burdens are placed on our health and the condition of our environment.
In a world where over half of the human population calls a city their home, the need to restructure and revolutionize the way we design our urban environments has never been greater. Currently, the notion that these vast metropolises of metal, concrete, and sludge could one day be fully realized pillars of sustainability is certainly laughable. However, when these same cities are constantly growing and multiplying across the globe, all the while using a greater and greater chunk of our planet’s energy, this impossible task becomes a necessary focus. To strive towards the closed, continuous loop of “true” sustainability could greatly alter the image of the modern city. Any improvement over the current state of urban affairs could carry weight, and even if that goal is not entirely fulfilled, the gained benefits would be immense.
...or temperature to remain at a comfortable 87 degrees, despite the temperature outside. Eastgate Centre saves about 3.5 million dollars every year due to the lack of central heat and air (Doan). This simple observation of what nature has already discovered for us has saved Zimbabwe millions of dollars. Imagine the quality of life humans could have if architects continued to apply biomimicry to their design process.
Parking is an issue that is familiar to any urban dweller or car owner. Many people feel its impact: shoppers, city commuters, employers and employees, and authorities involved in setting rules and managing the resources. All parking services come at a fee. The local authority is charged with setting the correct parking fees which are essential for the maximum efficiency of parking lots. Parking, which may seem like a minor issue, has direct effects on traffic, local businesses, and the atmosphere. Parking is also an important factor to consider when planning any urban setup. As incorrect pricing leads to negative consequences such as increase in air pollution, traffic jams, and unreasonable usage of space in