- en
Sofia turns to innovative methods to fight urban heat island effect
Heat waves have increased in frequency and severity due to climate change, particularly in Europe. Another hot wave is currently raging across the old continent, threatening millions of people and fueling destructive wildfires.
According to numerous studies, heat waves will become even less bearable in the future as the effects of climate change worsen. The urban heat island effect is a phenomenon that presents a particular risk.
A metropolitan area that is much warmer than the nearby rural areas because of human activity is known as an urban heat island.
Innovative strategies are being used in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, to lessen the consequences of excessive heat.
Heat trapped in urban places with lots of concrete and few trees makes life much more difficult for residents. That is why in Sofia, 18 trees and over 100 bushes were planted in the section between St. Kliment Ohridski Street and Lachezar Stanchev Street.
The city adopted a cutting-edge irrigation technique for tree planting that is widely used in Vienna, the capital of Austria, mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova explained. The technique involves slow-release watering bags for newly planted or established trees.
Mayor Fandakova stated on social media: ‘’The new landscaping around major transport arteries is part of the projects we are implementing together with the research sector of the University of Forestry.’’
‘’Their goal is to reduce the negative effect of high temperatures in the urban environment in places, which experts define as a “heat island”,’’ she further stated. (photo credit: Vishwasa Navada K/Unsplash)
