Using cool paving materials to improve microclimate of urban areas – Design realization and results of the flisvos project

• Published in: Building and environment 2012-07, Vol.53, p.128-136
• Main Authors: Santamouris, M., Gaitani, N., Spanou, A., Saliari, M., Giannopoulou, K., Vasilakopoulou, K., Kardomateas, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Computation methods. Tables. Charts; Cool materials and pavements; Exact sciences and technology; Heat island; Heat island mitigation techniques; Pollution indoor buildings; Road construction. Pavements. Maintenance; Structural analysis. Stresses; Surfacing; Transportation infrastructure; Urban climatic change; Urban development
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.01.022

The present paper deals with the application of 4500 m2 of reflective pavements in an urban park in the greater Athens area. The aim was to improve thermal comfort conditions, reduce the intensity of heat island and improve the global environmental quality in the considered area. To our knowledge, this has been the largest application of cool pavements in urban areas in the world. To evaluate the thermal impact of cool paving materials, specific and detailed measurements of the climatic conditions in the park have been performed before and after the installation of the new materials. Validated computerized fluid dynamics techniques have been used to homogenize the boundary conditions occurring during the two experiments and to perform direct comparisons of the climatic quality in the park. It was estimated that the use of cool paving materials contributes to the reduction of the peak ambient temperature during a typical summer day, by up to 1.9 K. At the same time, the surface temperature in the park was decreased by 12 K, while comfort conditions have been improved considerably. It is concluded that the use of reflective paving materials is a very efficient mitigation technique to improve thermal conditions in urban areas. ► Cool pavements are applied in a public park in Athens and their efficiency is measured. ► An important reduction of the ambient temperature has been measured. ► The use of cool pavements is an efficient mitigation strategy to reduce the intensity of heat island in urban areas.