[Back]


Talks and Poster Presentations (with Proceedings-Entry):

K. Kiesel, M. Vuckovic, A. Mahdavi:
"The extent and implications of the urban heat island phenomenon in Central European region";
Talk: CESBP - 2nd Central European Symposium on Building Physics, Wien, Österreich; 2013-09-09 - 2013-09-11; in: "Proceedings of the 2nd Central European Symposium on Building Physics 9-11 September 2013, Vienna, Austria", A. Mahdavi, B. Martens (ed.); ÖKK-Editions, 1 (2013), ISBN: 978-3-85437-321-6; 415 - 420.



English abstract:
Metropolitan areas worldwide display highly diverse microclimatic circumstances that are influenced by a variety of morphologies, structures, materials (particularly urban surface properties), and
processes (mobility, industry, etc.). This diversity influences the intensity and extent of the urban heat island effect (UHI) in different cities. UHI may be understood in terms of emerging divergence between microclimatic conditions in the city proper versus the rural environs. Significantly higher temperatures are
observed in the urban area as compared to the surrounding suburban and rural neighborhoods. A further rise in the appearance and intensity of UHI phenomena is to be expected in the coming years due to the on-going population increase in urban areas. Furthermore, the UHI effect is believed to be related to (and worsened by) the climate change. Thereby, the rise of global temperatures is likely to affect not only the health of the urban population (urban heat distress, pedestrian discomfort) but also the energy performance of the built
environment (higher outdoor air temperatures lead to a significant increase in buildings' energy use for cooling). In this context, this paper presents the results of an on-going EU-supported research project, which investigates the urban heat island phenomena in a number of urban regions in Central European countries (Stuttgart, Warsaw, Prague, Padua, Ljubljana, Modena, and Budapest). Toward this end, we pursue a twofold approach. First detailed information regarding urban and rural climate in a 7-day period for each of the
participating cities was collected and analysed. The results show a considerable variance, which, if ignored, would lead to major uncertainties in inferences made based on performance simulation. Secondly, long term data on rural and urban climate was obtained for all participating cities and included in the analyses.

German abstract:
none - see english version

Created from the Publication Database of the Vienna University of Technology.