A Multidisciplinary Typology Framework for Technologies to Mitigate Urban Heat Island Effects

Framework development for knowledge integration and dissemination

Master thesis (2023)

Authors

K. Snijders Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

M.M. Rutten Water Resources - CEG (mentor)
J. E. Goncalves Spatial Planning and Strategy - Architecture and the Built Environment (graduation committee member)
E. Stache Materials and Environment - CEG (coach)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2023 Kevin Snijders
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Published Date

22-09-2023

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

Urban areas often experience temperature imbalances, resulting in higher temperatures than their rural surroundings, known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This effect has adverse consequences such as heightened heat-related morbidity and mortality, amplified energy demands, aggravated water scarcity, and diminished urban living comfort. These effects are expected to intensify due to urbanization, making cities more susceptible to heat-related problems and increasing the number of inhabitants subjected to them, and climate change, increasing the frequency and Intensity of heatwaves occurring. As more than half of the world population lives in these urban areas, the imperative for effective mitigation strategies becomes paramount.

Addressing the complexity of the urban environment necessitates the collaboration of various disciplines to create effective UHI mitigation strategies. However, the integration and dissemination of multidisciplinary knowledge in this context are currently inadequate. This study bridges this gap by introducing a multidisciplinary typology-based framework employing a concurrent mixed-method approach, encompassing systematic literature reviews, semi-structured expert interviews, and multidisciplinary workshops in four distinct phases. These phases are specifically designed to identify, collect, integrate, and disseminate knowledge in this field, with applicability across diverse disciplines and contexts.

While the framework was first designed for the technologies at "Heat Square" of "The Green Village" in Delft, Netherlands, it is highly adaptable and can accommodate the inclusion of different technologies to enhance its impact. Given the increasing importance of addressing UHI challenges, this framework contributes to integrating and disseminating knowledge, supporting the creation of mitigation strategies and, therefore, contributing to creating livable and resilient urban environments in response to a changing climate.