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Although the concentration of activity and people within cities is frequently perceived to be the

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Although the concentration of activity and people within cities is frequently perceived to be the main source of environmental problems, it can also have environmental advantages as well, for instance through the sharing of resources and reduced vehicle travel times. Dr. Steemers believes that more intense land use and sharing of infrastructure such as energy, water, drainage, roads, buildings and public transport can greatly reduce the energy per capita in urban areas. He also explains that urban environments can receive huge benefits from the use of combined heat and power (CHP). CHP has the potential to deliver 55% thermal energy and 30% electrical energy by themselves. The two energies combined can typically deliver 85% or more …show more content…

This can be seen in a higher vulnerability for sickness in elderly people.

Microclimate modification through landscaping is a proven method for reducing the heat island effect. Landscaping can be used to control several aspects of the microclimate such as solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity and glare. Using trees and shrubs is the most significant way to provide shade and control of relative humidity and air movement. In addition plants provide ventilation and reduced heat through ventilation. When air crosses hard reflective or absorptive surfaces like parking lots and sidewalks it is warmed, but air passing through trees and plants is cooled (Ogunsote, 2003). Common ways in which to integrate landscaping elements into the urban environment include planting trees and shrubs, lawns and flowerbeds, pools and ponds.

Another common way to implement plants into urban areas is through green roofs. A green roof is basically a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. Green roofs provide shade and remove heat from the air through evapotranspiration, reducing temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air. The EPA recommends green roofs for mitigating urban heat islands and outlines some of the benefits below:

• Reduced energy use: Green roofs absorb heat and act as insulators for buildings, reducing energy needed to provide cooling and heating.
• Reduced air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions:

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