@article{
author = "Leal Filho, Walter and Wolf, Franziska and Castro-Díaz, Ricardo and Li, Chunlan and Ojeh, Vincent N. and Gutiérrez, Nestor and Nagy, Gustavo J. and Savić, Stevan and Natenzon, Claudia E. and Al-Amin, Abul Quasem and Maruna, Marija and Bönecke, Juliane",
year = "2021",
abstract = "The Urban Heat Islands (UHI) effect is a microclimatic phenomenon that especially affects
urban areas. It is associated with significant temperature increases in the local microclimate, and
may amplify heat waves. Due to their intensity, UHI causes not only thermal discomfort, but also
reductions in the levels of life quality. This paper reviews the important role of green infrastructure as
a means through which the intensity of UHI may be reduced, along with their negative impact on
human comfort and wellbeing. Apart from a comprehensive review of the available literature, the
paper reports on an analysis of case studies in a set of 14 cities in 13 countries representing various
geographical regions and climate zones. The results obtained suggest that whereas UHI is a common
phenomenon, green infrastructure in urban areas may under some conditions ameliorate their impacts.
In addition, the study revealed that the scope and impacts of UHI are not uniform: depending on
peculiarities of urban morphologies, they pose different challenges linked to the microclimate peculiar
to each city. The implications of this paper are threefold. Firstly, it reiterates the complex interrelations
of UHIs, heat waves and climate change. Secondly, it outlines the fact that keeping and increasing
urban green resources leads to additional various benefits that may directly or indirectly reduce the
impacts of UHI. Finally, the paper reiterates the need for city planners to paymore attention to possible
UHI effects when initiating new building projects or when adjusting current ones.",
publisher = "MDPI",
journal = "Sustainability",
title = "Addressing the Urban Heat Islands Effect: A Cross-Country Assessment of the Role of Green Infrastructure",
volume = "13",
number = "2",
pages = "753",
doi = "10.3390/su13020753"
}