Israeli Cities Are Heating Up Due to Construction, Experts Say
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Urban construction in Israel is causing local temperature increases and affecting weather patterns, according to atmospheric sciences expert Professor Yoav Yair. The "urban heat island" effect is exacerbated by dense building, lack of vegetation, and heat-releasing infrastructure, leading to significantly higher temperatures in cities like Tel Aviv. Architects suggest proper planning can mitigate these impacts.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Urban construction is causing significant local temperature increases in Israeli cities.
- The "urban heat island" effect is a major contributor to higher city temperatures.
- Dense building, lack of vegetation, and infrastructure contribute to urban heat.
- High-rise construction impacts wind flow and air pollutant dispersal.
- Changing rainfall patterns increase flood risk in urban areas.
- Proper urban planning can mitigate the negative environmental effects of construction.
Urban construction in Israel is significantly impacting local weather patterns, contributing to phenomena like the "urban heat island" effect, according to Professor Yoav Yair, an atmospheric sciences expert from Reichman University's Sustainability School. He explained that surfaces like concrete and asphalt absorb and release heat, dense construction can block natural ventilation, and a lack of shade and vegetation exacerbates heat. Air conditioning systems also release heat into the environment. Yair noted that the Gush Dan metropolitan area, particularly central Tel Aviv, experiences summer temperatures 4 to 6 degrees Celsius higher than surrounding areas, while Be'er Sheva's city center can be up to 2 degrees hotter. This effect is amplified by global climate change, with average temperatures in Israel projected to rise by 1.5 to 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2050. High-rise construction also affects wind flow, potentially slowing winds at ground level, creating localized vortices, and impacting the dispersal of air pollutants. Additionally, heat loads on buildings, finishing materials, and infrastructure, coupled with increased electricity consumption for cooling, pose challenges. Changing rainfall patterns, with more intense, short-duration downpours, are expected to strain drainage systems, roads, and underground structures, increasing the risk of local flooding, especially in areas with extensive impermeable surfaces. Yair also suggested that cities might influence lightning activity due to the combination of excess heat, pollution particles, and air turbulence. Globally, strategies like using reflective surfaces, green roofs, expanding tree canopies, and maintaining ventilation corridors are being employed to mitigate these effects. In cities like Singapore, Paris, and New York, heat zone mapping is already integrated into urban planning. Architect Gil Shenhav, co-founder of Canaan Shenhav Architects and chairman of the Israeli Forum for Skyscrapers and High-Rise Buildings, argued that well-designed high-rise construction can be part of the solution by saving land, preserving open spaces, and promoting public transport. He emphasized that the key is not whether to build high, but how, by considering wind direction, building spacing, shading, vegetation, and materials during the initial planning stages. Professor Yair is scheduled to present these issues at a conference on tower and building envelope design on October 13th in Tel Aviv.