Green facade strategy to mitigate heat islands

Authors

arch. Aya Gamal Abdel Hamid Muhammad Prof. Mai Wahba Madkour... Dr. Rania Elghamry Ashmawy Tolba Elakab

Abstract

In the beginning of the twentieth century and the occurrence of the economic crisis that accompanied by a climate crisis, that one of its indicators the rise in temperatures and the formation of hot zones, especially in crowded cities, including Cairo in particular, as it is considered one of the crowded cities in the world, and this noticeable rise in temperatures in Some areas where hot zones form are called heat islands. This results because of the nature of the urban environment, which has a high building density, little natural landscape, and human and industrial activities that has a negative affect on humans, environment, and society. As heat islands leads to : 1- an increase in energy demand , 2- an increase in greenhouse gas emissions , 3- affect the health of citizens and infect them with lung and heart diseases , 4- affect water quality , 5- affect air quality. As in the United States, heat kills more number of people each year than hurricanes, floods and lightning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Therefore, the research focuses on effective solutions and strategies to mitigate the effect of heat islands, including the strategy of green facades, as one of the strategies for vertical greening systems, which studies have proven to be among the effective solutions that reduce temperatures from 5 to 8 degrees Celsius in some areas, and can reduce heating and cooling energy demands by 16.5% and 51%. The green facades are considered thermal insulators and ,reduce airborne pollutants, which absorb carbon dioxide from the air , reduce the general air temperature, and as an aesthetic view of an attractive green environment, where agriculture is done vertically instead of horizontally, occupying a small area in a large urban area used intensely. Therefore, the widespread use of green facades as one of the greening systems will lead to alleviating heat islands in the urban community.

Recommended Citation

Prof. Mai Wahba Madkour... Dr. Rania Elghamry Ashmawy Tolba Elakab, arch. Aya Gamal Abdel Hamid Muhammad (2024) "Green facade strategy to mitigate heat islands," Journal of Engineering Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 43.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/erjeng/vol8/iss2/43