Researchers from UNSW Sydney have unveiled a comprehensive strategy to cool Riyadh, one of the hottest cities globally, by up to 4.5°C. The findings, published in Nature Cities, highlight the potential of combining cutting-edge cooling technologies to reduce urban temperatures and energy consumption. There are implications involved in improving both environmental sustainability and quality of life.
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, struggles with scorching temperatures exceeding 50°C during the summer, exacerbated by climate change and rapid urbanization. Professor Mattheos Santamouris, the Anita Lawrence Chair in High-Performance Architecture and senior author of the study, emphasizes that the city's limited greenery and vast artificial surfaces contribute to trapping heat, amplifying the urban heat island effect.
Additional heat from vehicular emissions and industrial activities further escalates the temperature, posing risks to public health and increasing energy demands. The research, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Commission of Riyadh, employed large-scale cooling climatic and energy simulations of the Al Masiaf precinct, including the energy performance of 3323 urban buildings.
Reflective super cool building materials for heat removal
The study evaluated eight different heat mitigation scenarios to identify optimal strategies for reducing the city's temperature and cooling needs. The recommended cooling scenario involves the use of highly reflective 'super cool' building materials on rooftops and a significant increase in the number of irrigated trees to enhance transpiration cooling.
In contrast, the study warns against blind implementation of urban cooling techniques, such as non-irrigated greenery, which could lead to a substantial temperature increase. Professor Santamouris underscores the potential benefits of implementing the right combination of advanced heat mitigation technologies, including enhanced thermal comfort, reduced health issues from extreme heat, decreased pollution concentrations, and improved human productivity.
Moreover, the research simulated the energy impact of retrofitting measures for all 3323 buildings in Riyadh. The combination of optimal cooling technologies with energy retrofitting options, such as improved windows, insulation, solar, and cool roofs, could potentially decrease the city's cooling demand by up to 35%, representing a significant reduction in energy needs and associated costs.
The researchers envision collaborating with the Royal Commission of Riyadh to implement the tailored heat mitigation plan, which, if successful, would be the largest of its kind globally. Professor Santamouris anticipates that these advanced heat mitigation technologies will deliver long-lasting health, sustainability, and economic benefits to the city.
The study was reported by Newsroom and involved researchers from various institutions, including the University of Sydney, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Calcutta, and the University of Athens. As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of urban heat, this research offers a beacon of hope, showcasing the potential of innovative technologies to create more livable and sustainable urban environments.
Originally published on Interesting Engineering : Original article