A recent study reveals the detrimental impact of hot nights compared to hot days, with the region experiencing hotter summers and more hot days due to climate change and the heat island effect.
Hong Kong has been experiencing hotter summers and more extreme hot days in recent years due to climate change and the heat island effect. A study from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) found that hot nights pose a greater threat to public health than hot days. Specifically, researchers found that consecutive hot nights are more detrimental to human health than very hot days, although the actual temperature does not reach daytime levels.
Apparently, consecutive hot nights brought more health problems compared with very hot days, especially for five or more consecutive hot nights. It was also found that when consecutive very hot days were joined with consecutive hot nights, such as two consecutive very hot days with three hot nights, the health impact was significantly amplified, compared with only consecutive very hot days. Females and older adults were found to be relatively more vulnerable to extreme hot weather.
According to Kevin Ka-Lun Lau from the Institute of Future Cities at CUHK, "Nighttime is supposed to provide the body with a chance to recover and rest from the heat of the day, but hot nights make the recovery and resting less effective. Due to the congested living environment with poor air ventilation, the occupants in sub-divided flats are particularly vulnerable and not able to recover from the heat of the day.”
The research also identified the lack of urban greenery and poor air ventilation in a high-density context as factors that contribute to more hot nights than hot days in some areas. The team suggests better urban planning and building design as long-term mitigation measures. They also argue that improved city and indoor natural ventilation and an increased greenery ratio would help to mitigate higher air temperatures and could improve public health.
FULL STORY: Calls for better urban planning to improve public health in Hong Kong
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.