Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect – how history’s lessons apply to cities today

The urban head island effect is probably the most important reason why so called record summer temperatures are reported in the media.

Previously, I was not aware that the urban heat island effect was well recognized up to 2000 or more years ago as this professor suggests. I am also not sure whether this professor confuses the awareness/recognition of an urban heat island effect and the heating up of an individual building in summer.

The nutty professor and author of the article below wants to radically transform our cities "for a climate changed world".

"... Civilizations have recognized the power of cities to heat themselves up and cool themselves for centuries. City architects in ancient Rome called for narrowing streets to lessen late afternoon temperatures. Narrow streets were found to cool the air by limiting the area exposed to direct sunlight. ..."

Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect – how history’s lessons apply to cities today

Book cover