A case study of urban heat islands in the Carolinas

Urbanization tends to aggravate the negative effects of climate. The objective of this research is to aid in the understanding of the spatial variation of urban heat islands within selected cities in North and South Carolina. This understanding will help guide efforts to cool cities in order to increase human comfort, conserve energy and resources, and reduce air pollution in both of these states.     

Mitigation of the heat island effect in urban New Jersey

Implementation of urban heat island (UHI) mitigation strategies such as increased vegetative cover and higher-albedo surface materials can reduce the impacts of biophysical hazards in cities, including heat stress related to elevated temperatures, air pollution and associated public health effects. Such strategies also can lower the demand for air-conditioning-related energy production. Since local impacts of global climate change may be intensified in areas with UHIs, mitigation strategies could play an increasingly important role as individuals and communities adapt to climate change. We use CITYgreen, a GIS-based modeling application, to estimate the potential benefits of urban vegetation and reflective roofs as UHI mitigation strategies for case study sites in and around Newark and Camden, New Jersey.

The analysis showed that urban vegetation can reduce health hazards associated with the UHI effect by removing pollutants from the air. Less affluent, inner-city neighborhoods are the ones in which the hazard potential of the UHI effect is shown to be greatest. However, these neighborhoods have less available open space for tree planting and therefore a lower maximum potential benefit. As the climate warms, these neighborhoods may face greater consequences due to interactions between the UHI effect and global climate change. Results also show that urban vegetation is an effective and economically efficient way to reduce energy consumption and costs at the sites.     

Characterizing the urban heat island in current and future climates in New Jersey

Climate change caused by increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases is a long-term climate hazard with the potential to alter the intensity, temporal pattern, and spatial extent of the urban heat island (UHI) in metropolitan regions. Particular meteorological conditions—including high temperature, low cloud cover, and low average wind speed—tend to intensify the heat island effect. Analyses of existing archived climate data for the vicinities of Newark and Camden, New Jersey indicate urban to suburban/rural temperature differences over the previous half-century. Surface temperatures derived from a Landsat thermal image for each site were also analyzed for spatial patterns of heat islands. Potential interactions between the UHI effect and projected changes in temperature, wind speed, and cloud cover are then examined under a range of climate change scenarios, encompassing different greenhouse gas emissions trajectories. The scenarios include those utilized in the Metropolitan East Coast Regional Assessment of Climate Variability and Change and the A2 and B2 scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES).

The UHI effect was detected in Newark and Camden in both satellite surface-temperature and meteorological station airtemperature records. The average difference in urban—nonurban minimum temperatures was 3.0 °C for the Newark area and 1.5 °C for Camden. Extrapolation of current trends and the selected global climate models (GCMs) project that temperatures in the case study areas will continue to warm in the current century, as they have over the past half-century. An initial analysis of global climate scenarios shows that wind speed may decline, and that cloud cover may increase in the coming decades. These generally small countervailing tendencies suggest that urban—nonurban temperature differences may be maintained under climate change.

Overall warmer conditions throughout the year may extend the spatial and temporal dimensions of the urban-suburban heat complex. The incidence of heat-related morbidity and mortality are likely to increase with interactions between the increased frequency and duration of heat waves and the UHI effect. Camden and Newark will likely be subjected to higher temperatures, and areas experiencing UHI-like conditions and temperature extremes will expand. Thus, urban heat island-related hazard potential is likely to increase in a warmer climate.     

城市热岛研究方法概述

论述了国内外有关城市热岛效应的研究方法,包括传统的气象观测法、基于遥感技术的定量反演法和基于边界层模型的模拟计算法,分析了各种研究方法的进展和优缺点,供城市热岛效应研究方法创新参考。     

国内外城市热岛研究进展

城市热岛现象是人类活动对气候系统产生的最显著的影响之一。在分析城市热岛效应概念和内涵的基础上,论述了国内外在城市热岛效应研究方面的进展,以期为缓解城市热岛效应提供科学依据。     

杭州城市热岛空间分布及缓减对策

以夏季的杭州市为例,利用Landsat 5 TM热红外遥感数据提取并反演了杭州市地表的覆盖类型与地表温度,通过热场分级分析和剖面分析的方法,对杭州城市尺度下热岛的空间分布特征进行了分析,并揭示了杭州热岛的分布格局与城市用地类型、功能布局之间的空间对应关系,从城市用地类型的演化、城市空间格局的改变、城市用地布局的合理性以及人为热排放等方面剖析了杭州城市热岛的产生与影响机理.最后,从城市规划视角提出了合理控制城市用地扩展、构建开敞的城市生态空间、优化城市用地功能布局以及开展城市下垫面规划设计等城市热岛缓减对策,供未来杭州城市热环境改善工作参考.     

哈尔滨市热岛效应与植被的关系——基于RS和GIS的定量研究

利用遥感和地理信息系统技术对Landsat ETM＋热红外遥感数据进行处理，反演和计算了哈尔滨城区的地面亮温和植被指数。通过剖面分析，研究了城区温度场的空间格局与植被盖度的关系；通过多元回归分析，揭示了城区热岛效应同多个指数的相关关系。结果表明：市内的道外区是热岛效应的主要分布区，道里区、香坊区的情况也比较严重；铁路沿线区域是城区主要的热岛效应地带；植被盖度和地面亮温呈反相关关系；植被和水体区域可以缓解城市的热岛效应。通过对市区热岛效应分析，可以监测城市化进程，为城市热环境质量评价和热源调查提供准确、丰富的信息。     

Traditional warning signs of cyclones on remote islands in Fiji and Tonga

Traditional knowledge of disasters has been found to save lives. On remote islands where telecommunications to the mainland are unreliable, unless there are always working batteries in the radio, signs from the environment may be the only warning of an oncoming cyclone. But this knowledge is in danger of being lost, as it is an oral history not well documented, and younger people increasingly rely on technology. This article presents the results of fieldwork on remote islands in Fiji and Tonga in the South Pacific, documenting natural warning signs on islands in two different countries. The results show that there are numerous known signs, with remarkable similarities and consistencies between the two islands. This provides evidence that not only is traditional knowledge of warning signs for cyclones alive and well, the consistency in the signs suggests support for this knowledge as being just as important as western scientific knowledge. The integration of traditional knowledge and western scientific knowledge into a comprehensive warning system may help to overcome some of the limitations of the existing system and the reasons why warnings are sometimes ignored.     

Completion of recommended WUI fire mitigation measures within urban households in Edmonton,Canada

The purpose of this study was to examine completion of recommended wildland—urban interface (WUI) fire mitigation measures by residents adjacent to the heavily vegetated North Saskatchewan river valley and ravine system in the City of Edmonton, Alberta. A mail survey was distributed to a random sample of households adjacent to this natural area. Almost all homeowners were found to be completing some recommended mitigation measures and in many cases were willing to complete most but not all of the measures that they had not yet completed, despite mixed motivations to act. Perceived responsibility for reducing risks, social bonds, beliefs that emergency services would protect homeowners' property in the event of a fire, and perceptions of the effectiveness of recommended mitigation measures, were not significantly related to completion of a higher average number of recommended mitigation measures. Importantly, most mitigation measures were completed for reasons other than WUI fire mitigation. The implications of these results and recommendations for emergency managers and communicators are discussed.     

Environmental equity in a sunbelt city: the spatial distribution of toxic hazards in Phoenix,Arizona

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial distributions of industrial facilities emitting toxic substances in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan region. The analysis relies on geographic information system mapping of hazardous facilities listed in the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) to assess the spatial distribution of polluting industries in relation to the demographic composition of host neighborhoods. The research addresses four questions: (1) Are there differences between the socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods with and without polluting industrial facilities? (2) Is there a relationship between the volume of toxic chemicals released from industrial facilities and the socioeconomic characteristics of host neighborhoods? (3) Is there a relationship between the toxicity of the chemicals released from industrial facilities and the socioeconomic characteristics of those living in proximity? (4) Do alternative methods for determining the distribution of potentially affected populations produce different observed patterns of environmental inequities? The study concludes that there is a clear pattern of environmental inequity in Phoenix based on the location and volume of emissions of TRI facilities. Analysis of the toxicity of emissions found a more equal distribution of risk, reflecting the suburbanization of high-technology industries into predominantly white middle-class communities.     

The consequences and policy implications of urban encroachment into flood-risk areas: the case of Ibadan

Urban encroachment on floodplains has exacerbated flood disasters owing to the reduction in the floodplain’s capacity to mitigate flooding, thereby bringing more settlements and people at flood risk. This study examined the consequences and policy implications of urban encroachment into Ibadan’s flood-risk areas. The survey-based study relied on primary and secondary data, with multistage sampling procedures selecting 15% of the flood-affected buildings in 2011, from which a structured questionnaire was administered to 402 households. The study revealed that the institutional arrangements with respect to responsibilities, regulations and control of urban floodplains were fragmented and non-participatory. At least 62% of all the affected buildings encroached into the statutory setbacks to rivers. Household property lost/damaged included domestic goods (75%), domestic animals and pets (60%), working instruments/machines (31%), the source of domestic water (34%) and vehicles (29%). Strong direct correlations were found between the urban and peri-urban communities in (1) the number of damaged/lost property and (2) the number of households that suffered health-related challenges. The paper recommends that the overall co-ordination of flood management activities be entrusted to an institution that can assume responsibility for legal, technical, administrative and financial matters related to urban planning and flood-risk management.     

Return delays and evacuation order compliance: the case of Hurricane Georges and the Florida Keys

Abstract

Using interview data, we examine the effects of the heavily publicized delays in reentering the Florida Keys after Hurricane Georges on future evacuation intent. Of particular interest is the finding that the delays will have less influence on the future evacuation decisions of those who experienced them than on those who learned of them from secondary sources. Fear of return delays is only one factor in evacuation decision-making, albeit an understudied one. For this sample of evacuees, perceived risk is the most salient factor, and this risk assessment is not sufficiently diminished by the inconveniences, such as delays, associated with evacuation. For non-evacuees, however, the delay factor appeared to only increase their reluctance to evacuate the next time, despite their level of perceived risk.     

Supporting the risk management process with land information: a case study of Australia

It is frequently argued that, at the parcel level, 1 stakeholders are capable of and well supported in managing their land‐related risks. Yet, evidence from the contemporary Australian context suggests otherwise: numerous large‐scale disaster events have revealed that citizens are ill‐prepared to respond and recover adequately. This paper begins with the premise that information, specifically land information, could better support parcel‐level risk preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery. State land administration organisations in Australia primarily maintain this information and make it accessible. Land information is used regularly across all levels of government to support risk management activities; however, such application has not always occurred at the parcel and citizen level. Via a case study approach, this paper initially explores the land information available in Australia to stakeholders interested in parcel‐level detail, and then goes on to propose how the utilisation of parcel‐level land information could serve to enhance risk management practices.     

Exploring the risks of ineffective water supply and sewage disposal: A case study of Mexico City

This study proposes a method to evaluate the effectiveness of water management in providing a safe water supply and adequate sewage discharge and treatment for residents of Mexico City. This method also assesses the vulnerability of the city and its capacity to face or cope with potential threats generated by insufficient water supply and sewage extraction. Indices for analysing these parameters were estimated and the spatial distribution of the groups most affected was identified. According to the results of the models used, Mexico City inhabitants are mainly exposed to risk because of economic limitations rather than ineffective water management. However, some practices implemented by city authorities are increasing the population's exposure to risk. Consequently, in the future it may be necessary to modify the way water is supplied and how sewage is transferred from the city to the sea.     

城市景观规划中的防洪策略--以2002年欧洲特大洪灾为例

近年来，由于全球变暖、不合理地改造自然、城市化进程加剧以及人们的思想松懈等原因，世界上城市洪灾发生较为频繁，给各国城市和人民带来重大损失。城市防洪已成为城市发展过程中备受关注的问题。为此，以2002年8月欧洲部分国家爆发的特大洪水为例，在分析其原因的基础上，提出了城市景观规划中的防洪策赂，希望它能对我国的城市防洪事业和城市景观规划工作起到借鉴作用。     

南京城区近地表不同地面覆盖层热岛效应观测与分析

在2008年7月27～28日南京城郊14个观测点温湿度观测数据的基础上,对南京城区、环玄武湖区和郊区的水泥地面、草地以及地面以上80cm高程近地表处的大气温湿度日变化规律、热岛效应和干岛效应强度进行了分析。结果表明:①南京城区近地表的热岛效应十分明显,城郊最大日平均温差:水泥地为3.1°C,大气为1.9°C,草地为1.2°C;②环玄武湖区水泥地的热岛效应明显,但近地表的大气和草地的热岛效应几乎不存在;③城区干岛效应明显,城区湿度比郊区明显要小,其中水泥地的平均湿度差最大,达到-14.1%;④城区湿度与温度呈相反的日变化规律,且湿度的变化主要取决于大气的温度变化;⑤南京城区雨花台、新街口、南汽和夫子庙等地的热岛效应较强,城市中的湖泊和草地对缓解城市热岛效应有显著的作用,而城市中的水泥地面对城市热岛效应起到明显的加剧作用,长江对城西地区的热岛效应起到消解作用。     

城市热岛效应下浅层土中混凝土的酸腐蚀试验研究

针对城市热岛效应引起城区浅层土地温场升高这一观测结果,采用室内快速模拟试验方法,对城区酸性土壤腐蚀混凝土材料的温度效应开展了试验研究.试验研究了在温度为5℃、20℃和40℃条件下,混凝土试样在酸浓度分别为0%、5%和10%的沙土介质中放置30 d、90 d后的抗压强度变化规律,并对混凝土试样在腐蚀过程中的腐蚀系数变化规...     

东北地区水稻热量指数预测模型

利用1961-2000年的逐月气温资料,计算了东北地区3省和全区水稻的热量指数.通过对热量指数和大气环流资料的统计分析,建立了6个预测水稻热量指数的预测模型和1个集成模型,各模型都能较好地预测东北地区各省及全区的水稻生长发育期间的热量状况.检验结果表明,所有模型的准确率较高,且稳定性较好.7个模型预测辽宁省、黑龙江省、吉林省和全区水稻热量指数的平均准确率都在90%以上,其中辽宁省的准确率最高,都在97%以上,预测效果最好,黑龙江省的平均准确率最小,但也都在91%以上.从不同类型的模型来看,集成模型的预测效果最好,准确率最高.     

Decision‐making behaviour during urban search and rescue: a case study of Germany

The objective of assisting with tasks and decisions during incident response is to reduce the risks to victims and rescue personnel while increasing the efficiency of the rescue operation. Handling uncertain information during urban search and rescue (USAR) missions represents additional stress to the decision‐maker. The aim of this study is to identify the decision‐making behaviour of rescuers during USAR missions to pinpoint trapped or buried victims in debris in order to design assistance technologies and decision‐support systems that meet their needs. In 2010, a survey was conducted among 10–15 per cent of all German rescue personnel specialised in search tasks. One of the major results of this survey is that a subjective assessment of the reliability of information available from heterogeneous sources influences the rescuers’ actions and that there is no methodology for decision‐making involving uncertain information. In addition, the study found that compliance with procedures does not require assistance.     

淮阴-响水断裂淮安市区段定位初探

通过分析淮安城区内钻探和浅层人工地震勘探资料 ,确定了淮阴 -响水断裂的大致位置。在此基础上 ,又做了城区断层气和地磁勘探 ,进一步确定了淮阴 -响水断裂经过市区的位置。满足了城市规划的需要 ,也为探索城区断裂勘探方法提供了有益的尝试。