Summer In the City

Bob Ward (Deputy Chair of the London Climate Change Partnership) opines that the climate emergency will have to result in many change in modern cities (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jun/17/urban-temperatures-heatwave-heat-resilient-city-climate-emergency). Ward notes that cities act as 'heat traps', attaining temperatures several degrees above that of surrounding rural areas. He suggests that adapting to higher temperatures will involve changes to building design, materials used and work/play habits. Comfort in city buildings could be simply improved by using air conditioning. This would, however, greatly increase electricity use (already very expensive and often a source of more 'greenhouse gases'). It would also discriminate between those who could afford these systems and those, often the more at risk, who couldn't. Ward suggests obvious changes to buildings, with the widespread use of tinted glass, improved ventilation and insisting on white roofs to reflect sunlight. Roof gardens, with plants, are attractive but they actually absorb solar radiation. Ward says there would also be challenges for major city transport. Ways must be found to stop the tarmacadam on roads melting in hot spells. Could these surfaces, at the same time, also be made more reflective (the black surfaces absorb heat)? Tube (underground rail) systems will need to be air conditioned. Overhead electricity cables need to be made from materials that will not distort at elevated temperatures. Tree planting, along roads, can also supply shade. People's work and other habits would also have to change. Certain work (e.g. building) should not be carried out at the hottest times of the day. Pedestrians should not be left at road crossings for extensive periods of time. Even if there is a dramatic reduction in the release of 'greenhouse gases' (unlikely?), Sweltering conditions in cities will still become more frequent and intense. Changes will also have to be made to deal with increased flooding risks. These changes (many mandatory) need to be started now rather than in a distant future.