Project title: A unique island in the heart of the city

Team: The U. H. I.slanders fighters

Junior High School of Nea Peramos   Nea Peramos- Attiki   Greece   10 Student’s age: 12-13 years old, 14-15 years old

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon and how it affects the daily life of people living in urban centers. How it affect our daily life in School?

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) refers to the phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities such as construction, transportation, and industrialization. The project concerns the phenomenon of the urban heat island and is built around two main axes. The main question is to identify the issue of the urban heat island in the wider area of Western Attica and secondly how UHI can be identified in the school yard of our school. Due to the heterogeneity of the structure in the wider area of Western Attica, areas where the phenomenon of the urban heat island is particularly intense can be identified. For this reason, the industrial area of Aspropyrgos was chosen, an area that is not only densely populated but also has intense industrial activity. Both the city’s structure and the materials used to construct the industrial parks provide a space for our research. What are the impacts of the urban heat island on the human and natural environment? Initially, using satellite images, thermal differences were identified between neighboring areas (Aspropyrgos- Mandra). Then, thermal data from the NOA meteorological stations were analyzed to reinforce the existing picture. The second axis is to identify the phenomenon of the urban heat island in our schoolyard. The students tried to identify the urban heat island phenomenon through hands-on experience. For this reason, two experiments were set up in which data were recorded, allowing the students to identify the UHI phenomenon. After a discussion, ideas were proposed for improving the phenomenon in the school environment, and by extension, in urban areas.

During the processing of satellite images of the areas of Aspropyrgos and Mandra, an average temperature difference was observed during the months from June to September for the years 2020-2022. The same temperature differences were also observed through the analysis of meteorological data from the same period from the NOA network’s meteorological stations. Thus, a preliminary image about HUI in the city was record.
Taking a step further, the students attempted to identify and decode the UHI in their school’s yard. Two in situ experiments took place and the results can be summarized as above:
1. Heat absorption based on material The students recorded the temperatures of various materials in the school yard to quantitatively identify the temperature differences of each type. The main goal was the students to distinguish between warm and cool materials. This goal was achieved by measuring temperatures of five different materials (cement, metal, grass, soil, and marble). Based on the measurement results, cement and metal were characterized as warm materials, while grass, soil, and marble as cool materials.
2. Heat absorption based on color Another factor contributing to the UHI effect is the color of materials. Students observed this phenomenon by measuring the temperature of objects from the same material but different colors, to characterize as either cool or warm colors. The colors used were black, brown, red, yellow, and white. Through this experimental process, white, yellow, and red were characterized as cool colors, while black and brown were classified as warm colors.
3. Heat absorption as combination of material and color To help students understand how the selection of materials and the color affect the HUI phenomenon, the same material (wood) was measured with two different colors (brown, green), and different materials (metal, wood) were measured with the same color (green). The measurement results confirmed how cool materials and colors reduce the HUI phenomenon.

Students can play an important role in fighting the urban heat island (UHI) effect by taking actions in their own communities and spreading awareness about the issue. Here are some ways that students can help:
1. Plant trees and greenery: Trees and plants help to cool urban areas by providing shade and releasing moisture through a process called transpiration. Students can organize tree-planting events in their communities and encourage others to do the same.
2. Use reflective materials: Light-colored or reflective surfaces, such as roofs, pavements, and roads, can help to reduce the absorption of heat by reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere. Students can advocate for the use of reflective materials in their schools and communities.
3. Reduce energy consumption: Energy consumption, particularly from air conditioning units, contributes to the UHI effect. Students can take steps to reduce their energy consumption, such as turning off lights and electronics when not in use and advocating for energy-efficient buildings in their communities.
4. Promote public transportation and active transportation: Cars and other vehicles contribute to the UHI effect by emitting heat and air pollutants. Students can encourage their peers and community members to use public transportation or active transportation options, such as walking or biking, instead of driving.
5. Advocate for green policies: Students can advocate for local and national policies that promote the use of green infrastructure, such as green roofs and permeable pavements, to help reduce the UHI effect. They can also participate in local government meetings and speak out in favor of policies that promote sustainability and environmental protection.
6. Spread the knowledge: After this project students are ready to spread their knowledge with the community by developing educational materials such as videos, podcasts, and social media posts to spread awareness about HUI. Some more action will be take palce like participate to meetings.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y4zU_8c37xeWhBlqXdSQALU4WalUVtGg/view?usp=share_link

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