Trees instead of an urban heat island

One of the most pressing challenges for cities today is the heat island phenomenon, typically heavily influenced by extensive concrete pavements. In this place, we were once faced with such a scenario. Previously, the entire surroundings of Diuna encompassed an absurdly large (6,000 sqm!) above-ground, paved parking lot. This urban concrete expanse has since been transformed into a verdant, green park, replete with 50 trees and featuring 96 species of shrub. The vibrant vegetation of the patio now humidifies the air effectively, reducing its temperature by up to a dozen degrees Celsius – a much welcome relief on hot days!

The urban heat island is a dangerous climatic phenomenon that poses significant risks to human health and well-being. Concrete pavements absorb substantial amounts of sunlight without reflecting it, slowly releasing the accumulated energy in the form of heat. According to The World Bank, 56 percent of the world’s population, or 4.4 billion people, currently reside in cities. By 2050 – when, as a result of climate change, global temperatures will be even higher than today – this figure is expected to rise to as much as 70 percent. In Warsaw’s case, this trend is a particular cause for concern, with the number of hot days, i.e. with temperatures exceeding 30°C, rising from an average of 10 between 1991 and 2020 to 19 in 2022.