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A Systematic Review of the Urban Heat Island Effect:
Urban Form, Landscape and Planning Strategies
Asphalt pavements are mainly used in cities. Although asphalt material is
advantageous in terms of fast construction, smooth surface and low noise, it
causes surface temperatures to increase (Du et al., 2018; Tsoka et al., 2018).
Using reflective coatings instead of asphalt is a cost-effective approach
in reducing the absorbed solar energy as well as the surface temperature.
Reducing the surface smoothness, especially with white or light-colored
coatings, is considered the most effective approach to reducing the surface
temperature through surface reflection (Qin and Hiller, 2014; Santamouris,
2013; Qin, 2015; Cheela et al., 2021).
The thermal properties of pavements that people often use in urban
areas differ from the thermal and reflective properties of surface materials,
such as albedo, thermal conductivity, according to climatic conditions and
geographical location. Although the albedo of the pavements varies according
to the surface material, it is generally gray in color and between 0.35-0.40. The
albedo value decreases as the surface of the pavement wears out in progress
of time. The accumulation of dirt on the pavement surface also reduces the
albedo value. Therefore, it is important to maintain the pavements at certain
intervals and repair them with appropriate materials (Qin et al., 2018; Qiao et
al., 2020; Cheela et al., 2021).
Coating materials with traditional architecture store solar radiation in terms
of their dark surfaces and thermal properties. During the summer months,
temperatures increase due to this process. The use of reflective materials with
a high albedo value is one of the effective strategies for reducing the urban
heat island effect. Research on reflective and evaporating surface coatings
aimed at increasing thermal comfort in cities is ongoing (Cheela et al., 2021).
5. Conclusion and Evaluation
The study presents a systematic review of strategies that can guide planning
policies within the framework of the relationship between urban form and
landscape, taking into account the urban heat effect, which is the greatest
impact of climate change on cities. It is necessary to take multidimensional and
very comprehensive measures against the urban heat island, which threatens
humanity on a global scale. It is a significant requirement to make the cities,
rapidly growing as a result of urbanization and increasing population density,
more sustainable, creating resilient cities with planning strategies that will
be developed within the framework of sustainable cities that are in harmony
with the climate crisis process, which is a major concern on a global scale.
Cities consume more energy than rural areas due to transportation, heating,
commercial and industrial activities. This high consumption is encountered
as a result of the urban heat island effect. For this reason, it is an important
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