How cities are fighting back against the 'heat island effect'

As temperatures rise, researchers are rethinking how cities measure and respond to urban heat. But experts say successful solutions require finding solutions tailored to local conditions rather than relying on one-size-fits-all fixes.

Record-breaking heat and humidity are already upon us at the start of what is predicted to be a scorcher of a summer. 

Our cities, with their dark, asphalt surfaces, exhaust-emitting vehicles, and heat-trapping buildings, feel these temperatures the most. Many residents experience at least 8 degrees of additional heat just because of their neighborhood layout, according to Climate Central, which assessed heat patterns in 65 metropolitan areas.  

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Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects

 

UCL: Cooling Our Cities? Recent Developments in Urban Heat Mitigation Technologies

 

Speaker: Professor Mat Santamouris AM Professor Mat Santamouris AM is a Distinguished Professor of High Performance Architecture at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. He is a Member of the Order of Australia. He previously served as Professor at the University of Athens, Greece, and has held Visiting Professorships at ten leading institutions worldwide, including in the UK, Japan, Italy, Korea, Singapore, China, Cyprus, and Malaysia

Member of the Order of Australia

I am deeply honoured to have been named a Member of the Order of Australia by the Governor‑General, a recognition that humbles me and fills me with gratitude. This distinction reflects not only my own efforts but, more importantly, the unwavering support, insight, and dedication of the many collaborators, colleagues, and mentors who have walked alongside me throughout my career.

Honorary Fellow - The Royal Institute of British Architects

The Royal Institute of British Architects has conferred upon me the distinguished honour of being elected an Honorary Fellow. I regard this recognition with profound gratitude and deep humility. It is an exceptional distinction, reserved for a very small number of individuals worldwide, and I am sincerely moved to be counted among them.

Mitigating Urban Overheating Keynote

 

World Society of Sustainable Energy Technologies (WSSET) - Interview

 Why is climate action so slow when the evidence is conclusive? 

 Prof. Mat Santamouris explained that climate action moves at different speeds because countries have different priorities, and that the overall pace is shaped more by those in power than by the public.

 A simple example is political lobbying. Fossil fuel companies spend millions influencing governments and policy processes, which can delay stricter emissions rules or weaken climate targets. 

Deeply Honoured

I am deeply honoured and truly grateful to share that Northumbria University, Newcastle UK, has appointed me as a Visiting Professor.

This distinction carries great meaning for me, and I feel a profound sense of responsibility toward the University’s leadership for their trust and confidence.

I look forward to contributing with dedication, enthusiasm, and respect for the academic community that has welcomed me so warmly.

Addressing the Impact of Urban Overheating Using Advanced Heat Mitigation Technologies

 

Recognition plaque from the Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat

I feel very proud, and I am deeply moved by the awarding of an honorary recognition plaque from the French Grande École nationale des Travaux publics de l'Etat in Lyon. I warmly thank all those who honored me, and I would like to dedicate this award to my unjustly lost friend and ENTPE professor, Gerard Guarraccino. We will always remember you, Gerard