Cool Houston! A Plan for Cooling the Region
"Houston is a hot place to be in the summer, but as the region grows, we’ve added another 6º to 8º on top. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, is caused by the use of dark roofing materials and dark pavements along with the extensive removal of trees and vegetation.
Trees provide a complex, natural cooling process while dark materials used on rooftops and paving act as solar energy collectors, absorbing and retaining the sun’s heat. Surface temperatures on rooftops reach 160ºF or hotter, in turn heating the surrounding air.
Hotter temperatures have many negative effects, including poor air quality and a diminished quality of life. The list of specific problems from this added heat include higher ozone levels, higher electric bills, and heat related illnesses and death. With currently available and affordable technologies, these effects can be reversed. Use of these technologies also provides a score of other benefits that are discussed in this document. Technologies include various reflective and porous paving products, reflective and green roofs, and one of the oldest technologies available – trees and vegetation." [From Executive Summary]
V. Cook (Editor), K. Schaack (Editor), D. Hitchcock (Editor)
2006
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Heat Island, Air Quality/Pollution
UHI, UHI, Urban heat island, Urban heat island
