<
https://theconversation.com/green-tram-tracks-cut-heat-and-beautify-cities-why-isnt-australia-doing-it-266996>
"Cities are hotter than the surrounding countryside. Paved surfaces such as
asphalt and concrete trap heat and release it at night. But as climate change
worsens, this is becoming a real risk for residents.
Researchers are racing to find ways to protect urban residents from rising
temperatures and pollution. As recent research shows, there’s no single fix for
urban heat. Different places need different solutions, from tree canopies to
cool roofs to reflective pavements.
Taming urban heat doesn’t necessarily require extravagant ideas such as
air-conditioned footpaths. Some of the most effective tools are simple
adjustments to infrastructure we already have, using nature to cool cities down
with vegetation, soil and water.
One promising solution is hiding in plain sight: our tram tracks (particularly
the many sections that run on their own corridors, separated from traffic).
Cities around the world have been greening their tram corridors by replacing
concrete with grass or low vegetation.
The idea is not new – grass-covered tram tracks date back to Berlin in 1905 –
but has seen a resurgence since the 1980s. And the results are surprisingly
effective."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
