Article type
Abstract
Background: Projections indicate that by the end of this century, the average global temperature will surpass 1.5°C, leading to a rise in global heatwave occurrences. Urgent measures are required to develop evidence-based cooling strategies for managing health risks linked to the inevitable course of climate change during heatwaves and hot weather. The assessment of adaptation strategies serves to identify the best practices and gaps, and map evidence globally
Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the impact of heat adaptation strategies for heat stress, categorizing studies into three broad categories: i) landscape modifications, ii) modifications to building structures, and iii) human adaptation strategies.
Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies till January 2023 to evaluate the impact of community-bases heat adaptation strategies on surface and indoor temperatures and health outcomes. We excluded computer-based simulation, modelling or hypothetical, and cross-sectional studies. Two investigators independently extracted data from the included studies on a standardized data-extraction form. Individual temperature readings and impacts were extracted from graphs in the studies and means and SDs were calculated for every intervention. Interventions targeting human adaptation studies were not meta-analyzed but reported in categories of similar interventions.
Results: The meta-analysis findings suggest that a decrease of surface temperatures, from using pavements with modified asphalt materials [SMD: -0.58 (95% CI: -0.73, -0.43)] and variations in the shades of black bricks [SMD: -0.87 (95% CI: -1.57, -0.17)]. Green roofs can significantly decrease the surface and indoor temperatures [SMD: -1.82 (95% CI: -2.69, -0.94) and -0.88 (95% CI: -1.58, -0.19) respectively] compared to conventional roofs. Green walls can significantly decrease the surface and indoor temperatures [SMD: -0.57 (95% CI: -1.00, -0.14) and -0.83 (95% CI: -1.29, -0.37) respectively] compared to bare roofs.
Conclusions: The research findings emphasize the complexity of factors influencing the effectiveness of heat adaptations interventions. While certain modifications show promise in reducing temperatures and other outcomes, the varied outcomes across different interventions highlight the need for contextual targeted approaches. Future research could delve deeper into the specific characteristics of effective modifications and their long-term implications for urban heat management strategies.
Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the impact of heat adaptation strategies for heat stress, categorizing studies into three broad categories: i) landscape modifications, ii) modifications to building structures, and iii) human adaptation strategies.
Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies till January 2023 to evaluate the impact of community-bases heat adaptation strategies on surface and indoor temperatures and health outcomes. We excluded computer-based simulation, modelling or hypothetical, and cross-sectional studies. Two investigators independently extracted data from the included studies on a standardized data-extraction form. Individual temperature readings and impacts were extracted from graphs in the studies and means and SDs were calculated for every intervention. Interventions targeting human adaptation studies were not meta-analyzed but reported in categories of similar interventions.
Results: The meta-analysis findings suggest that a decrease of surface temperatures, from using pavements with modified asphalt materials [SMD: -0.58 (95% CI: -0.73, -0.43)] and variations in the shades of black bricks [SMD: -0.87 (95% CI: -1.57, -0.17)]. Green roofs can significantly decrease the surface and indoor temperatures [SMD: -1.82 (95% CI: -2.69, -0.94) and -0.88 (95% CI: -1.58, -0.19) respectively] compared to conventional roofs. Green walls can significantly decrease the surface and indoor temperatures [SMD: -0.57 (95% CI: -1.00, -0.14) and -0.83 (95% CI: -1.29, -0.37) respectively] compared to bare roofs.
Conclusions: The research findings emphasize the complexity of factors influencing the effectiveness of heat adaptations interventions. While certain modifications show promise in reducing temperatures and other outcomes, the varied outcomes across different interventions highlight the need for contextual targeted approaches. Future research could delve deeper into the specific characteristics of effective modifications and their long-term implications for urban heat management strategies.