GURE 1.3: URBAN HEAT ISLANDS CITY DWELLERS ARE BEARING THE BRUNT OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES hanks to a phenomenon that makes urban areas hotter than their surroundings, cities such as retoria are as much as \( 6^{\circ} \mathrm{C} \) hotter than they could be. he heat comes from decades of poor planning. Since the 1950s, the global focus of city frastructure planning has been on cars and on 'getting as big uildings (skyscrapers). I) South Africa's six. big cities, this means tarred roads crisscrossing office blocks overcrowdii ement slabs providing parking for the cars, highrise apartments and an urban heat island. This heir occupants. This both creates with cities storing heat. The World Health Organization (WHO) says urban heat islands, which both raise temperatures and trap pollutants, will have to disappear in this century if future generations are to live healthy ives in cities. A possible way of addressing the issue of heat islands is introducing green strategies. Green strategies are sustainalend Refer to FIGURE 1.3 an extract based on urd 1.3.1 Define the concept urban heat island. 1.3.2 Give TWO quotations from the extract that suggests that poor planning is responsible for increasing temperatures in cities. \( (2 \times 2) \) 1.3.3 Why is the urban heat island effect more concentrated at night? (1×1)
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Urban heat islands (UHIs) are urban areas that experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings, primarily due to human activities and land use changes. This phenomenon occurs because of modifications like paved surfaces, buildings, and vehicles that absorb and retain heat during the day, which is then slowly released at night, leading to higher nighttime temperatures compared to surrounding areas. A classic example of combating urban heat islands can be found in cities like Singapore. They've embraced the concept of vertical greenery, where buildings are draped in plants and trees, significantly cooling the environment. This not only reduces heat absorption but also enhances biodiversity in urban settings, making the city a more pleasant place to live while tackling the UHI issue head-on. Additionally, common mistakes in addressing urban heat islands often include unilateral solutions, such as just increasing greenery without considering water management or public space access. It's vital to integrate these strategies into a holistic urban plan that ensures both cooling benefits and community engagement for sustained impact.