Architectural ordonnance refers to the arrangement of buildings, streets, and open spaces in a city or town. It can play a crucial role in reducing the urban heat island effect, which is the phenomenon of temperatures in urban areas being significantly higher than in surrounding rural areas. Some ways in which architectural ordonnance can help reduce the urban heat island effect are:
1. Incorporating green roof systems that use vegetation to add insulation, reduce the heat island effect and provide extra energy savings.
2. Including urban parks and gardens within cities, which can provide an excellent cooling effect by increasing the amount of vegetation (trees, shrubs, etc.) that can sequester carbon dioxide.
3. Creating shading systems through the design of buildings that reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches an urban surface.
4. Developing energy-efficient building designs that are naturally ventilated, have good insulating properties, and use shading elements like shutters, window screen, or green curtain designs.
5. Using white or light-colored roofing materials that reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.
6. Employing solar street lights at strategic points to reduce the temperature of highly congested areas, especially during the nighttime when temperatures do not fall significantly.
7. Implementing sustainable urban transportation options like walking and biking as well as public transit, rather than personal vehicles.
By considering the architectural ordonnance with sustainability in mind, it can structurally help reduce the urban heat island effect in urban areas.
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