Heat island

Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategies: 2021 Update

This literature review briefly examines methods to mitigate urban heat islands. Climate change is already increasing the number of high-heat days, a trend that will continue in the coming years. It is, therefore, important to bolster the resilience to heat of cities and buildings for the benefit of the health of the population.

Knowledge review

Greening cities for public health

Greening is taking place in cities, primarily to adapt to climate change and its effects, like heat islands. This literature review describes the impacts of green spaces on health. Some observations are also put forward for optimal green space use and design. Green spaces are beneficial for physical health, particularly because they provide opportunities for physical activity. Green spaces might also have positive effects for reducing numbers of obese and overweight people, linked to…
Research report, study and analysis

Life cycle assessment of the environmental impacts resulting from the implementation of urban heat island mitigation measures

The Institut national de santé public du Québec (INSPQ) decided to draw on the expertise of the CIRAIG to conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) of ten urban heat island mitigation (UHI) measures applicable to the residential sector. The goal was not to compare or evaluate the effectiveness of these measures, but rather to assess the other potential environmental impacts that result from their implementation and maintenance during a specified period. The options were therefore analyzed on an…

Research report, study and analysis

Urban Heat Island Mitigation Strategies

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), eleven of the hottest twelve years ever observed were recorded since 1995 and are attributable to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. North American cities “that currently experience heat waves are expected to be further challenged by an increased number, intensity and duration of heat waves”.

In Québec, the hottest ten years of the century have been recorded since the 1980s (Natural Resources Canada…

Knowledge review