RP2005: Urban Micro Climates

In this paper, we define thermal resilience in public space as the ability of the space to support its normal activities in higher temperatures.

This paper reviews the research on heat stress adaptation measures, before presenting recommendations for a range of...

This paper describes ground-based thermal infrared (TIR) data collection and the development of a multivariate regression model to predict brightness surface temperature from thermal images. The

This paper challenges whether the current Australian Nationwide Energy Rating Scheme encourages heat stress resistance.

A University of South Australia researcher has called for changes to Australia’s building code in the wake of a study which found newer homes are less resistant to heat than older style brick veneer homes.

A UniSA researcher has called for a change in Australia's building codes in the wake of a study which shows new homes can be less resistant to heat than older, double-brick houses.

Dark coloured and bare metallic roofs are common and make up a sizeable portion of the urban fabric....

Global temperatures have officially reached the highest on record and Australia has felt the brunt of this with record breaking temperatures for the end of summer and early autumn.

his paper determines the daily patterns of urban heat in Adelaide, Australia. The near-surface temperature profile of Adelaide was mapped in 60 journeys alongside a straight cross route connecting Adelaide Hills to the West Beach between 26 July and 15 August 2013.

In the context of Sydney, this ongoing research aims to explore the most heat resilient urban features at precinct scale.

This PhD research - presented at State of Australian Cities 2015 (Gold Coast) - investigates the social impacts of heat stress in Australian cities.

This chapter investigates how urban green space policies in Melbourne, Australia address these challenges, and the roles that communication, engagement and narrative play.

This paper provides an overview of the urban heat island effect, and urban greenery's role in its mitigation. Following this, it presents an analysis framework to assess the effectiveness of Australian policies in retaining and maximising urban greenery. Read the paper ...

In this paper, we briefly review the research investigating green roof thermal performance in various climates and analyse policies and actions that have been implemented internationally to foster green roofs with an emphasis on their thermal performance.

Climate change projections indicate a likely 3.8°C increase in the average temperature in Australia by 2090. During summer, outdoor heat-stress causes significant thermal discomfort, altering outdoor living preferences.This paper aims to explore the neutral and critical thresholds for...

During summer heatwaves, public spaces are frequently warmer than human thermal comfort preferences in a majority of Australian Cities. Citizens’ preferences of public space elements and supportive features during heat-stress conditions are under particular focus in this paper. Read the...

The purpose of this paper is to propose viewing transitions and transformations through the perspective of an ecological worldview. An ecological worldview sees humans as active participants in the co-creation of the living systems we inhabit, and understands that living systems are...

Since its launch in 2012, the CRCLCL has worked closely with industry and government to generate an authoritative body of research to help keep Australian cities cool.

A range of policy recommendations are presented here across the four disciplines of public health, building and construction industry, and urban planning and infrastructure - emerging from CRC for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL) project research findings related to heat stress in urban Australia.

As cities grapple with the impacts of heatwaves, exacerbated by the urban heat island effect and amplified by climate change, green spaces can cool urban areas and provide other functions and benefits to city dwellers’ health and wellbeing. Public policies play an important role in retaining and...

An extreme heatwave is a period of successive days (three days in SA) when the temperature is considerably hotter than the concluding month and a 30-year average. Extreme heatwaves in Adelaide usually last up to three days. Following CRCLCL research, this factsheet provides tips on staying safe...

As cities grapple with the impacts of heatwaves, exacerbated by the urban heat island effect and amplified by climate change impacts, green spaces can cool urban areas, as well as provide health and wellbeing benefits to city dwellers and habitat for biodiversity. 

Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Belusko, M., Pockett, J., Boland, J., 2016. Overheating risk in the Australian Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme : A case study of Adelaide, in: Zuo, J., Daniel, L., Soebarto, V. (Eds.), 50th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association,...

Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Belusko, M., Pockett, J., Boland, J., 2016. Assessment of heatwave impacts. Procedia Engineering 4th Int. Conf. Countermeasures to Urban Heat Island, 30-31 May 1 June 2016, Natl. Univ. Singapore 169, 316–323

Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Belusko, M., Skinner, N., Pockett, J. & Boland, J., (2016). Heat stress risk and resilience in the urban environment. Sustainable Cities and Society, 26, p.278–288.

Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Belusko M., Pockett, J., Boland J., 2016, Does the Australian Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme ensure heat stress resistance? 20 pp.

The report was undertaken as part of a PhD research, funded by the CRC for Low Carbon Living Ltd. supported by the Cooperative...

Sharifi, E., Sivam, A., & Boland, J. (2016). Resilience to heat in public space: a case study of Adelaide, South Australia. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 1-22.

Hatvani-Kovacs, G., Belusko, M., Pockett, J., Boland, J., 2015. Can the excess heat factor indicate heatwave-related morbidity? A case study in Adelaide, South Australia. EcoHealth. doi:0.1007/s10393-015-1085-5

Conference paper presented at 49th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015

2016 article ‘Turnbull government's plan to make cities cooler and greener’, Melbourne (19 Jan. 2016) by Nicole Hasham, The Age.

SNIPPET: "The federal government wants to increase tree cover in big cities to dial down the heat and improve health and quality of life as part of its new focus...

2015 article ‘Blowing hot or cool depends on where you're at, says urban microclimate expert’, Sydney (20 Nov. 2015) by Catherine Armitage, Sydney Morning Herald.

SNIPPET: "If you really want to know how hot you are, try getting around the city with Jonathan Fox, an expert in urban...

Student Poster - Participant Annual Forum 2015 - Judy Bush

Mitigating the urban heat island effect with green space: policy perspectives

Student poster - Participants Annual Forum 2015 - Gertrude Havanti-Kovacs

Heatwave-resilient built environment

Student poster - Participants Annual Forum 2015 - Ehsan Sharifi

Thermal resilience and urban micro climates

Student poster - Participants Annual Forum 2015 - Jonathan Fox

Urban microclimates: comparative study of major contributors to the UHI effect in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne

2015 Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs and John Boland. 'Retrofitting Precincts for Heatwave Resilience: Challenges and Barriers in Australian Context' in Challenges , 6 (1), 3-25; doi:10.3390/challe6010003

2015 Angus R. Gentle andGeoff B. Smith. 'A Subambient Open Roof Surface under the Mid-Summer Sun' in Advanced Science.  Article first published online: 26 MAY 2015. DOI: 10.1002/advs.201500119. Online ISSN: 2198-3844

2015 Press release 'A super cool roof solution to being hot in the city' (28 May 2015) from UTS Newsroom.

SNIPPET: "Sydney materials scientists are claiming a breakthrough in cool roof technology with a surface they've developed that will stay cooler than the ambient air temperature, even...

Presentation: Urban greenery and mitigation of the urban heat island effect in Australian cities: Policy mechanisms and implementation

Work in progress report

26 September 2014

PhD Candiate: Judy Bush

Presentation: The Effect of Facades on Outdoor Microclimate

Work in progress report

26 September 2014

PhD Candiate: Johnathon Fox

Presentation: Retrofitting Australian Precincts for Heatwave Resilience

Work in progress report

26 September 2014

PhD Candiate: Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs

Presentation: Thermal Resilience: A New Logic for Urban Greenery

Work in progress report

26 September 2014

PhD Candiate: Eshan Sharifi

Thesis title: An Exploration of the Impacts of Heat Stress on Vitality of Public Space and Outdoor Activity Patterns: A Case Study of...

Presentation: Land surface temperature investigation of Australian CBD and Suburbs: Case Study Adelaide

3rd CRC RP2005 Workshop

26 September 2014, Melbourne

Dr Conrad H. Philipp

Participant Annual Forum 2014 - CRCLCL Exemplar 4: Urban Microclimates - Evidence for Policy and Product Development 

Research Snapshot A3 size poster from Participants Annual Forum 2014

Student Poster - Participants Annual Report 2014, Judy Bush - Size A2

Student Poster - Participants Annual Forum 2014, Jonathan Fox - Size A2

Student Poster - Participants Annual Forum 2014, Gertrud Hatvani-Kovacs - Size A2

Student Poster - Participants Annual Forum 2014, Ehsan Sharifi - Size A2

2014 Sharifi, E. and Lehmann, S.: ‘Local measures to mitigate the urban heat island effect in hot and humid climate: comparative case study of Sana’a, Bushehr and Dubai Marina’, in International Journal of Development and Sustainability, Vol. 3, No. 1 (2014), Japan, ISSN2168-8662 (...

2014 Interview and article ‘Heat-Island City a Killer’, Melbourne (17 Jan. 2014) by Jason Dowling, p. 4 The Age

SNIPPET: "An urban heat island is lifting city-centre temperatures, with Melbourne leading the nation for heat-related deaths, according to a national report...