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)ORULGD6WDWH8QLYHUVLW\/LEUDULHV 2020 Planning Strategies for Improving Resilience of Cities in Developing Countries to the Urban Heat Island Caroline Lucienne Knowles Follow this and additional works at DigiNole: FSU's Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PUBLIC POLICY PLANNING STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING RESILIENCE OF CITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT By CAROLINE KNOWLES A Thesis submitted to the Department of International Affairs in partial fulfillment of the requirements for graduation with Honors in the Major Degree Awarded: Spring, 2020 The members of the Defense Committee approve the thesis of Caroline Knowles defended on April 13, 2020. Dr. John Felkner Thesis Director Dr. Janet Dilling Outside Committee Member Dr. William Butler Committee Member Dr. Christopher Coutts Committee Member Abstract With climate change and global warming, the detrimental socio-economic impacts of Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect are increasing, with cities in developing countries particularly vulnerable. This thesis conducts a literature review to identify the causes, socio-economic impacts, and urban planning mitigation strategies that can be used against the UHI effect. Further, this research focuses on the specific UHI impacts, consequences, best mitigation strategies and particular challenges for cities in developing countries, addressing a notable gap in the literature on these dimensions. Several key impacts of UHI are noted, including lower economic productivity, heightened public health risks, and increased energy consumption. Specific vulnerabilities of cities in developing areas are also identified. These include dependence on environmentally linked industries, disadvantageous geographic location, and rapid rates of urbanization. Weak governance and poor infrastructure also play a role in a city’s vulnerability; however, these concerns lack substantial academic backing and require further research to fully evaluate their impact on UHI. Broadly, research on the connection between UHI and particular vulnerabilities of cities in developing areas is sparse, leading to a noticeable gap in the academic literature. Numerous UHI mitigation strategies, both in urban design and public policy, are broadly explored before several specific strategies are identified as most feasible for cities in developing areas. Such tactics include increasing green space and vegetation, implementation of green roofs, use of cool building materials and modification of urban form. Structural and cultural challenges associated with successful implementation of these mitigation strategies in cities in developing areas is also assessed; barriers include poor governance and lack of capacity, poor awareness at the local and municipal level, an inability or unwillingness to finance these strategies, differing attitudes and values among residents, and an absence of research and data. 3 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 7 1.1 Statement of central research question and subsidiary research questions ................................ 7 1.2 Methodology followed in this study................................................................................................. 8 1.3 How the paper is organized ............................................................................................................. 9 2.0 What is the urban heat island effect? ...................................................................................... 9 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect ..................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Atmospheric UHI ............................................................................................................................ 10 2.4 Surface UHI..................................................................................................................................... 11 2.5 Temperature change associated with UHI ................................................................................... 11 3.0 Physical causes of UHI .......................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Weather ........................................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 Reduced vegetation in urban areas ............................................................................................... 12 3.4 Modification of land surfaces and land use change ..................................................................... 13 3.5 Anthropogenic heat from automobile and industry .................................................................... 14 3.6 High rates of pollution .................................................................................................................... 14 3.7 Background climate and geographic location of city .................................................................. 15 3.8 Properties of urban materials ........................................................................................................ 15 3.9 Urban geometry and design ........................................................................................................... 16 4.0 Major Socio-economic impacts of UHI ................................................................................. 17 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 17 4.2 Energy and environmental impacts .............................................................................................. 17 4.3 Health impacts ................................................................................................................................ 18 4.4 Economic consequences ................................................................................................................. 19 5.0 Vulnerability of cities in developing countries to climate change and UHI ........................ 20 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 20 5.2 Vulnerability of cities in developing countries to climate change .............................................. 21 5.2.1 Dependence of environmentally linked industries .................................................................................... 21 5.2.2 Disadvantageous geographic location ....................................................................................................... 21 5.2.3 Rapid urbanization .................................................................................................................................... 22 5.2.4 Preexisting water struggles ........................................................................................................................ 23 5.3 Vulnerability of cities in developing countries to UHI ................................................................ 24 5.4 Most vulnerable global regions to climate change and UHI ....................................................... 26 5.4.1 West and sub-Saharan Africa .................................................................................................................... 26 4 5.4.2 South-East Asia ......................................................................................................................................... 28 5.4.3 South Asia ................................................................................................................................................. 29 6.0 UHI mitigation strategies....................................................................................................... 30 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 30 6.2 Review of major UHI mitigation strategies .................................................................................. 30 6.2.1 Trees and vegetation ................................................................................................................................. 31 6.2.2 Urban green spaces ................................................................................................................................... 33 6.2.3 Green roofs ................................................................................................................................................ 35 6.2.4 Vertical greening; vegetated facades and walls ......................................................................................... 38 6.2.5 Building materials ..................................................................................................................................... 40 6.2.6 Cool roofs .................................................................................................................................................