Urban Climates

The first full synthesis of modern scientific and applied research on urban climates, suitable for students and researchers alike.

T. R. Oke (Author), G. Mills (Author), A. Christen (Author), J. A. Voogt (Author)

9781107429536, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 September 2017

546 pages, 334 colour illus. 50 tables
24.8 x 19 x 2.9 cm, 1.18 kg

'Urban Climates is a must-read for students and scientists. From climatology to urban planning, it is very clear and complete, from concepts and processes to practical implementation and adaptation of cities to climate. It is illustrated with explicative diagrams of exceptional quality and many examples of this 'collection of microclimates' in various cities. Beyond the clear and rigorous overview of the physics of the urban atmosphere, Urban Climates offers a fantastic travel through the history of climate in cities around the world, from preindustrial cities and before to modern high-rise megacities.' Valéry Masson, Météo-France and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Urban Climates is the first full synthesis of modern scientific and applied research on urban climates. The book begins with an outline of what constitutes an urban ecosystem. It develops a comprehensive terminology for the subject using scale and surface classification as key constructs. It explains the physical principles governing the creation of distinct urban climates, such as airflow around buildings, the heat island, precipitation modification and air pollution, and it then illustrates how this knowledge can be applied to moderate the undesirable consequences of urban development and help create more sustainable and resilient cities. With urban climate science now a fully-fledged field, this timely book fulfills the need to bring together the disparate parts of climate research on cities into a coherent framework. It is an ideal resource for students and researchers in fields such as climatology, urban hydrology, air quality, environmental engineering and urban design.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Concepts
3. Methods
4. Airflow
5. Radiation
6. Energy balance
7. Urban heat island
8. Water
9. Atmospheric moisture
10. Clouds and precipitation
11. Air pollution
12. Geographical controls
13. Cities and global climate change
14. Climates of humans
15. Climate-sensitive design
Epilogue
Appendix 1. History of urban climatology
Appendix 2. Site codes and data sources
Appendix 3. Glossary and acronyms
References
Subject index
Geographical Index.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Urban & municipal planning [RPC], Physical geography & topography [RGB], Meteorology & climatology [RBP]