Small but cool: greening strategies for urban neighbourhoods

Many cities in the world are increasingly experiencing heat stress due to climate change and urbanisation. In temperate European cities, more frequent heatwaves are challenging neighbourhood liveability. My research provides evidence-based urban greening design guidelines by revealing where and how to add small green spaces, street trees, and grass to cool urban areas. I studied neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, London, and Paris and developed four typical heat-prone neighbourhood types. Simulations show that larger, square-shaped green spaces cool the inside most and strengthen Park Cool Island effects, while several small green spaces grouped together provide the most outside cooling. Neighbourhoods with wide, radial layouts benefit most from large street trees, and two rows of large trees along main streets are more efficient than scattered planting. Grass alone adds only marginal cooling. The design guidelines were refined with practitioners to ensure they are practical and can help cities create cooler neighbourhoods.