Sustainable Development Green Initiatives: Urban Heat Islands

The Urban Heat Island Effect is a growing concern in the North Central Texas region as temperatures rise and more green space is cleared for development. Urban Heat Islands occur when the temperature in an urban area is several degrees higher than the surrounding rural areas due to human activities and the built environment. As the less developed area around the city cools at night, the temperature in the city remains high. This is because pavement, buildings, rooftops, and other developments absorb heat during the day and releases it when the sun sets. The released heat maintains daytime temperatures at night.