Physical and geographic analysis of the urban cooling potential

TL;DR

This paper analyzes physical and geographic factors influencing urban cooling techniques to develop spatial assessment tools for decision-makers in climate adaptation strategies.

Contribution

It identifies key physical and geographical indicators affecting cooling performance, enabling spatial deployment of urban cooling methods.

Findings

Solar irradiance significantly impacts cooling potential.

Material properties influence cooling effectiveness.

Underground infrastructure is a crucial indicator.

Abstract

The performance of a number of urban cooling techniques has been thoroughly studied by the scientific community. However, decision-makers lack the tools to spatialize their deployment as part of their urban cooling and climate change adaptation strategies. Among other indicators, a spatial assessment of the cooling potential for a technique in a given area is lacking. To this end, we analyze the physical mechanisms on which these techniques are based and identify corresponding geographical indicators that influence their cooling performance. Solar irradiance, existing material properties and underground infrastructure stand out as essential indicators for this purpose.