Cool materials in the urban built environment to mitigate heat islands: potential consequences for building ventilation

Urban warming, commonly referred to as the ‘Urban Heat Island’ phenomenon (UHI), is a well-established effect that affects cities all over the world. This occurs due to urban physical characteristics such as urban canyon geometry and vegetation, but mainly to its typical materials. The thermal properties of the materials used for the external walls and roofs of buildings, as well as pavements, can have a major influence on the surface temperature. As a consequence of increased temperature, the UHI has an effect on energy consumption for heating and cooling urban buildings.