The rooftops of Barcelona may soon look more like those on these fanciful pavilions in Parc Guell designed by Antoni Gaudi, in an effort to lower the city’s temperature, especially during heatwaves.
A study by climate change researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona predicts that a combination of white rooftops and a small increase in the city’s open green space from 32.5% to 35.9% could lower the city’s average temperature during heat waves by nearly five degrees.
That’s because the typical materials of the city’s buildings, brick and concrete, store heat in the daytime and only slowly release it at night, while white roofs would reflect much more of the sun’s heat rather than absorbing it.
Sergi Ventura, a UAB meteorologist, told Euronews that “In our study, we have detected an average reduction in temperature of 0.8 degrees during heatwaves, and peaks of up to four degrees lower at certain locations and during certain hours of the day. We are collaborating with public entities such as [Barcelona’s] Urban Master Plan. They are in favor of painting roofs white. But so far nothing is being done. This is a low-cost strategy.”
They hope to see that change soon as part of a plan in the City Council to add 21 new ‘green hubs’ to areas of the city by 2030.
Image: DrFumblefinger/TravelGumbo
