Study #31

Figure: Variation of surface temperatures by tree effect at June 11^th for the hour 13:00.

Nature-based solutions insights - Urban trees and wind canyons

Researchers from Firat University conducted a 2016 study in Elaziğ, Turkey, using advanced simulations to explore how trees influence urban heat. They found that adding trees can reduce the urban heat island effect sometimes by over 60%, and even pushing temperatures below baseline levels.

Imagine a dense summer street where surfaces hit over 50°C. Now picture trees lining that same street, suddenly, surface temperatures drop by around 10°C, and heat island potential (HIP) can fall from ~13°C to as low as -2.25°C.

Trees don't just beautify cities, but they actively reshape microclimates by shading surfaces, absorbing radiation, and interacting with wind flow. This is an example of Nature-Based Solutions in action: simple, scalable interventions that cool cities, improve comfort, and reduce energy demand.

Gülten, A., Aksoy, U. T., & Öztop, H. F. (2016). Influence of trees on heat island potential in an urban canyon. Sustainable Cities and Society, 26, 407–418.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2016.04.006