Population increases and consolidation of activity in cities and urban areas is changing the climate. When there is a large amount of density, it also impacts the environment with pollution, accumulated waste and heat from human activities. Man made items impact the environment, specifically with the development and use of things such as new buildings, roadways, combustion engines and air conditioner. As this expands and deteriorates the natural surroundings, it creates UHI, or the urban heat island. Urban heat island causes a rise in the temperature in cities and urban spaces while surrounding areas that have a natural landscape acquire a lower temperature. Cities, the number of individuals living in a consolidated area and the materials which are used all add in to the increasing problem of UHI. Today, a smart grid, made of natural materials, is required to reduce the impact that this is creating.
The UHI modification occurs specifically because of interference with materials that are not compatible with the environment. Roads, buildings, atmospheric alterations and properties of specific machines accumulate more pollution and increase the heat in an area. It is noted that urban construction materials have a specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity that differs in it’s properties. The result is that instead of reflecting and radiating the sun’s heat, it unnaturally absorbs into the surface. The result is the inability to cool certain areas or balance within the environment. Urban spaces that do not use porous paving materials and which don’t acquire proper drainage systems create more imbalances in both the atmosphere and the surrounding environment.
When not using a smart grid with well constructed applications and materials, there is greater harm that takes place in the urban areas. With improper landscapes, heat increases dramatically and holds in the urban area. In many areas that are overpopulated and have the improper infrastructure, heat has doubled within a few decades. Pollution, sediment run off and too much energy consumption begins to build with the incorrect materials. Heat trapping greenhouse gases accumulate as a result of the improper materials and structure used within urban areas. It has been found by many environmental advocates that this not only damages the environment and community as well as personal health, but also creates drastic economic loss with failing infrastructures through increasing energy demands.
Building a smart grid allows those in urban areas to increase health, reduce economic costs and to find a balance with the environment. To take this first step, infrastructure changes in buildings and roadways are required. Using environmentally friendly materials, porous pathways, green landscapes and naturally occurring substances offers a balance with nature. This will impact the UHI phenomena directly while creating a balance in urban areas.