Facing the problem of overheating in Australian cities

The overheating of cities – better known as the urban heat island phenomenon – is the most documented urban impact of climate change. There are more than four hundred cities around the world where the characteristics and magnitude of temperature increases are being experimentally documented. The average magnitude of urban overheating can be as high as five to six degrees Celsius, while in some Asian cities it has been found to exceed ten degrees.

Increases in the ambient urban temperature are caused by the positive thermal balance of cities. Cities suffer from the release of anthropogenic heat by cars, buildings and industry, as well as the absorption of solar radiation and the emission of heat by opaque surfaces such as asphalt