Optimising heat gain by building materials through landscape elements

Urban areas present distinctive micro climates. In the study of causes of the special climate in cities, it is reported that “The total transformation of natural landscape into houses, streets, squares, big public buildings, skyscrapers, and industrial installations has brought about changes in climate of large cities”. Temperature is one of the most important characteristics of urban areas. It is known urban temperatures differ from those of sub-urban and rural areas and the phenomenon commonly known as the” Urban Heat Islands”. Mitigation and control of this Urban Heat Island effect is so important for the environmental sustainability of urban areas. The materials used in the urban matrix play key role in causing this distinctive heat gain. The aim of this paper is to relate the thermal conductivity of building materials to the urban heat gain and to find solutions to optimize the heat gain by materials through landscape elements.