1. Strategies to Reduce Urban Heat Islands

2. Outline Heat island definition, causes, and impacts
Key strategies to reduce heat islands
EPA’s Heat Island Reduction Initiative (HIRI) Program

3. UHI Definition, Causes, Impact
Urban heat islands
Warmer city compared to surrounding
Mitigation strategies exist. So do barriers to implementation.
Causes
Impact
energy use
air quality
public health
Background - Basic information - launch date, program goals, history (e.g., Energy Star was initially part of HIRI)
Current Status -
Next Steps (see next slide) note that we’ll be translating research into user friendly tools, policy and guidance. Framework is more on working with cities to advance HI mitigation.

4. Key Strategies to Reduce UHI
Urban vegetation
Cool roofing
Cool pavements

5. Key Strategies to Reduce UHI
highly reflective surfaces
roofs and pavement
reflect incoming solar radiation
shade trees
block incoming radiation to keep buildings cooler
naturally cool the surrounding air
Part of behaviors hoping to change
As explained in “strategic value”, also how these measures are implemented/considered
Still will answer by whom and how we expect
part of #4

6. Key Strategies Can Improve Local and Global Environment
Reduce Ozone Levels
Reduce VOC Emissions
Reduce CO2
Reduce NOx Emissions
Shade Trees & Reflective Surfaces
Reduce A/C Use
Reduce Air Temperature

7. Urban Vegetation - Benefits
Energy savings
Air temperature reduction
Air pollution removal
VOC reductions - Shading parking lots
CO2 reduction
Stormwater management
Beautification, property value increases

8. Cool Roofing - Benefits
Energy savings
Temperature reduction
Reduced air pollution and GHG emissions
Indoor comfort
Durability and waste minimization

9. Cool Pavements - Benefits
Higher reflectance reduces pavement temperatures
Higher reflectance reduces air temperatures
Theory = cooler pavements last longer and save energy

10. EPA’s HIRI Program Implementation
Outreach
Website
Conferences
Conference calls
Tools
Heat island
reduction
strategies guidebook
MIST
Analysis

12. Heat Island Mitigation: Resources & Contact Info
Resources
EPA’s Heat Island Website:
LBNL Heat Island Group:
ICLEI Heat Island Site:
Contact
Eva Wong
Niko Dietsch