Urban areas are known for their "heat island" effect, where cities tend to be warmer than their rural surroundings. To tackle this issue, I undertook a project as part of my matura examination to simulate surface temperatures in urban environments using computer modeling. This simulation can help us explore new methods of natural cooling for cities before implementing them in real life, potentially saving time and money.
The goal of my project was to create a computer model capable of analyzing surface temperatures in urban areas. By doing this, we can identify areas that are most affected by heat and target them for cooling interventions without relying solely on costly and extensive measurements.
I developed the simulation using JavaScript, incorporating key factors such as:
Using this model, I simulated a test-scenario and generated heat maps. These simulated heat maps were then compared to actual measured heat maps of the same area.
The comparison revealed that my model could realistically depict the distribution of surface temperatures, considering the physical properties of various surfaces. While the specific temperature values from the simulation differed from the measured values, the model effectively provided a general overview of the heat distribution within urban settings.
Through this project, I was able to gain valuable insights into how computational models can support urban planning and environmental decision-making. The Urban Surface Heat Model demonstrates how technology can be used to visualize and better understand the complex interactions that drive surface temperature in cities. While there is still room for refinement and expansion, this project lays the foundation for further development in the simulation of urban climate effects. I'm proud to have built a tool that not only supports sustainability but also contributes to smarter and more efficient urban design.