More than 600 scientists are meeting this week in Toulouse in a conference on the effects of extended hot weather in urban areas. A city can be up to 8C hotter than the surrounding countryside. The scientists will be discussing how this effect can be avoided, especially by use of town planning. Apparently it is cumulative and as the hot weather persists and the nights remain hot it becomes increasingly difficult for inhabitants to avoid dehydration, leading to many premature deaths.
Cities with rivers and parks will be cooler than those which have covered every square metre with high rise buildings. Even seaside cities such as Hong Kong have lost the cooling effects of the water by blocking the entry of sea breezes. Yet Seoul improved matters noticeably by re-opening a river that had been hidden under motorways.
The conference is the 9th international meeting of scientists on the subject - let's hope it generates more than more hot air.
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