Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2003.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976-
Other Authors: Joseph Ferreira, Jr.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29946
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author Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976-
author2 Joseph Ferreira, Jr.
author_facet Joseph Ferreira, Jr.
Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976-
author_sort Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976-
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description Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2003.
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spelling mit-1721.1/299462019-04-10T07:33:40Z Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation Improving air quality in Mexico City through UHI mitigation Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976- Joseph Ferreira, Jr. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning. Urban Studies and Planning. Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2003. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-60). Mexico City exists as a city space pushed and pulled in multiple directions. Different scales and levels of spatial reference and planning have come together to produce a dynamic and contradictory place united by the identity of Mexico City. Unfortunately, the city faces a regional environmental dilemma stemming from its chronic air pollution problem. Many steps have been taken to reduce air pollution in the city and this study examines an additional air quality improvement strategy that has been implemented in other megacities. Singapore and Tokyo have supplemented their air pollution reduction programs with Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation plans. Across the globe, cities experience a phenomenon called the UHI effect where urban areas are several degrees warmer than neighboring suburban or rural areas. A cycle of consuming more energy for cooling purposes adds to greenhouse gas production from the additional power generation and then feeds back to the system with yet higher temperatures in the city. In addition, higher ambient temperatures help speed the formation of smog. This study examines what Tokyo and Singapore have done in terms of an UHI mitigation plan, analyzes what can be done to reduce the UHI effects in Mexico City to improve air quality and quantifies the effects of potential physical changes. Modest surface changes are modeled and predicted to reduce average temperature by more than a full Fahrenheit degree. A decrease in surface temperature can slow the formation of smog and can help mitigate the impacts of the Urban Heat Island effect. by Karen A. Thundiyil. M.C.P. 2006-03-24T18:05:23Z 2006-03-24T18:05:23Z 2003 2003 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29946 52988828 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 60 leaves 4164048 bytes 4169664 bytes application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Urban Studies and Planning.
Thundiyil, Karen A., 1976-
Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title_full Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title_fullStr Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title_full_unstemmed Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title_short Rising temperatures and expanding megacities : improving air quality in Mexico City through Urban Heat Island mitigation
title_sort rising temperatures and expanding megacities improving air quality in mexico city through urban heat island mitigation
topic Urban Studies and Planning.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29946
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