När temperaturerna stiger : Ett gestaltande arbete om förtätning och värmeöar

Sammanfattning

With the urbanization of Swedish cities, densification has emerged as a sustainable ideal in urban planning. As new buildings and hard surfaces replace more green spaces and open areas, the Earth´s climate is becoming warmer, and the consequences of rising temperatures are becoming more tangible. In densely built environments, the warm climate is further exacerbated due to the urban heat island effect, which means that the temperature difference between urban and rural areas can reach several degrees. This affects the local climate and has serious consequences for the people who live and stay in the cities, including increased heat stress and health risks. Through climate-conscious planning, where heat-reducing measures are implemented, the heat island effect can be mitigated and thereby creating favorable urban climates. This work focuses on the impact of the densification ideal on the heat island effect and human living environments. In the literature review, heat islands and their consequences are discussed to emphasize the importance of planning for rising temperatures and to identify temperature-reducing measures. The study examines a typical densification project to understand how heat-reducing measures can be integrated into existing urban areas and suggest actions that should be introduced early in the planning process. The measures have been proposed using two methods; a qualitative document study and a site analysis. The site analysis conducted in Ebbepark, Linköping aimed to create an understanding of aspects in the built environment. Through the site analysis and document study, proposals for measures were developed, which then formed the basis for the design proposal in Ebbepark. The results showed that the integration of heat-reducing measures in densely built areas significantly contributes to the improvement of people´s living environments by counteracting the heat island effect and creating a more pleasant microclimate. Implementation of vegetation, high-reflective materials, and water features results in significant temperature reductions. To effectively counteract the heat island effect, these measures can be integrated into urban planning, both in new and existing densification areas. Heat-reducing measures should also be incorporated into municipalities’ overall planning documents to promote the development of sustainable and resilient urban environments.