The Urban Heat Island refers to the meteorological phenomenon of increasing the temperature of urban space relative to its surroundings. The most significant indicator of Urban Heat Island intensity is the temperature difference between the city and its surroundings. In large cities it can reach up to 10-15 C. This public space improvement project, developed for the Cool Abu Dhabi Challenge, solves the problem of reducing this effect and creating a comfortable habitat for citizens in Abu Dhabi or any other city with similar climatic conditions.
Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect via urban design
The video is inside!
A 50 x 20 metre site has been designated for design.
Since the site is completely open to the sun’s rays, the heating of surfaces can reach incredible values.
To decrease Urban Heat Island Effect we have decided to combine several methods. Surfaces that reflect and refract sunbeams, green roofs, formation of artificial air currents are used simultaneously in this project. At the same time, the project is easy to be realized, its implementation doesn’t need significant material costs, developed constructions don’t occupy much space.
To transform the location into the place comfortable for people and to eliminate Urban Heat Island Effect we propose to set on its territory three types of easy metal constructions in the shape of mushrooms:
- 1st type. Height 10 m, cap diameter 14 m. Are designed for sunbeams reflection. Painted in white color. Kind of roof covering used for Cool Roofs could be set on top of the cap.
- 2nd type. Height 7 m, cap diameter 12 m. On flat top of the cap there is a Green Roof. Special plants adapted to dry tropical climate of Abu Dhabi are used. Plants decrease concentration of CO2 in the air and enhance its quality. Such height makes possible planting not only on the level of ground and roofs of neighboring buildings, but also between them.
- 3rd type. Height 3.5 m, cap diameter 3 m and 4 m. The cap is created using weaving similar to one typical for straw hats. Ukrainian and Mexican peasants wear such hats when it’s hot. Its weaving provides effective protection from sunbeams without decrease of air circulation. Palm leaves, residues from paper-making and other natural materials could be used for hat production as well as straw.
In addition to mushrooms we offer to use on the location some fans situated on the level of 3rd type mushrooms that will create air currents and special outside cooling system installed a little higher than the level of human growth. This system produces cool zones for people. When someone stays under one of its air outlet ducts for 3 –5 seconds photodetector triggers and cool air blows to person. Fans and cooling system could be supplied from central electrical grid or solar panels installed on the hats of 1st type mushrooms.
Mushrooms consist of prefabricated parts that simplify their transportation. For installation of 1st and 2nd type mushrooms pile foundation is used. Little mushrooms are mobile and could be moved from place to place. They are fixed using nets with some weight: stones, remains of concrete constructions etc.
Mushrooms and caterpillar-like cooling system make an allusion to Alice in Wonderland. The location creates festive atmosphere resembling being in magical fairyland. It looks like playground or amusement park.
Since all elements don’t occupy much space (only one stem), conception can be implemented anywhere: on parking without decreasing number of parking spaces, on sidewalks, in parks. Benches, outdoor furniture, planters could be added to make summer cafe or recreation facility.
Also it is possible to install white grid panels or panels with plants on surrounding buildings.
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