Nicosia: An article authored by Professor Drikakis and his team from the University of Nicosia has been spotlighted by the American Institute of Physics (AIP) in their Scilight series.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the research, titled 'Flow and heat transport effects from urban greening in a metropolitan environment,' was published in the journal Physics of Fluids by AIP Publishing. It has been featured by Scilight under the theme 'Putting a chill on the urban heat island effect.' The study, led by Professor Drikakis, Vice President for Global Partnerships at UNIC, and Dr Ioannis Kokkinakis, examines the effects of urban greening on airflow and heat transport in dense city environments, particularly in Athens.
The research explores the impact of the Ellinikon greening project on local microclimates and how concrete and asphalt contribute to urban heat islands by absorbing and re-emitting heat. This phenomenon increases local temperatures, energy use, and air pollution during heat waves. Through computational fluid dynamics simulations, the researchers investigated how greening efforts alter near-surface temperatures and how these changes are moved by wind through the urban landscape.
The Scilight feature notes that significant urban greening can decrease near-surface air temperatures by about 1°C on the hottest days, with cooling effects extending several kilometers downwind under optimal conditions. The findings indicate that the benefits of greening extend beyond the immediate area of a park or project, with cooling distribution influenced by factors like street design, terrain, and prevailing winds.
Scilight, a series by AIP Publishing, highlights noteworthy research across the physical sciences. It provides summaries of newly published research, focusing on its relevance to specific fields. Articles for Scilight are chosen by journal editors and composed by professional science writers, published alongside the original research work.