“Our research finds that compact developments that include large green spaces are essential for the delivery of ecosystem services. For humans to get the most benefit, however, combining this approach with greening of built land using street trees and some small parks and gardens is the best method.”
Rather than focus on selected cities, a team led by scientists from the US space agency NASA report in Environmental Research Letters that they took an overall look at what asphalt and concrete do to the whole United States.
The satellite data told a familiar story: those tracts of America covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, pavements, roofs and car parks were in summer up to 1.9°C warmer than the surrounding rural zones, and in winter 1.5°C.
http://www.climatenewsnetwork.net/greener-cities-are-best-at-taming-urban-heat/
