A new study, published on Geophysical Research Letters, investigates various urban interventions aimed at mitigating extreme heat in London, focusing on their impact on outdoor air temperatures.
Using advanced climate modelling techniques, the study evaluates nine interventions, including cool roofs (‘highly reflective roofs that can be composed of different roofing materials’), green roofs, solar panels, and street-level vegetation, during two hot summer days in 2018.
It finds that cool roofs are most effective, reducing temperatures by approximately 1.2°C on average. In contrast, green roofs show minimal impact, while solar panels and street-level vegetation offer modest cooling benefits.
The research emphasises the importance of such interventions in managing urban heat islands and provides insights into their practical deployment and energy implications for large-scale urban cooling strategies.
Geophysical Research Letters - 2024 - Brousse - Cool Roofs Could Be Most Effective at Reducing Outdoor Urban Temperatures.pdf
English (1.99 MB - PDF)
