Overview

Abstract (English)

Applying urban heat island mitigation techniques requires a holistic understanding of their influences on the urban environment and community health. A novel approach is presented in this chapter by integrating microclimate simulations and correlation analyzes to define the impact of increasing the albedo of urban surfaces on urban health and thermal comfort. The application included enhancing the albedo of urban surfaces including roads, roofs, and building walls for a selected urban microclimate in the Greater Toronto Area. The study aimed to correlate the environmental and health responses by monitoring the historical meteorological and mortality and hospitalization data in the study region and to predict the outdoor thermal comfort due to changing albedo values. The results recommended wise implementation with careful considerations of albedo enhancements regarding urban thermal comfort. The hourly investigation proved the enhanced thermal comfort during specific periods of the day. The reported enhancements in outdoor thermal comfort led to an expected improvement in the instant health responses of the urban inhabitants.

Abstract (French)

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