relation: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4575/
title: The contribution of albedo-enhanced houses in The Netherlands to reducing the urban heat island effect
creator: Hoogendoorn, Igmar
description: This thesis investigates the potential contribution albedo-enhanced houses could have in The  Netherlands to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Albedo-enhanced houses are  characterized by aspects such as white paint, thick walls, dome roofs, and narrow streets to  maintain ambient temperatures and reflect solar radiation. These aspects are inspired by the  successful practices in Santorini. The central research question focused on the potential  impact and feasibility of integrating these architectural elements into the Dutch context.  The study made use of a qualitative research design, it involved interviews with professionals  from different sectors, including spatial planners, architects, and project developers. These  interviews gathered expert insights on the effectiveness and implementation of albedo-  enhancing techniques to reduce UHI effects in urban settings.  The main findings indicate that the reflective properties of white paint and the thermal mass  of thick walls can significantly lower ambient temperatures and reduce heat absorption.  However, the widespread implementation of these features faces aesthetic, cultural, and  practical challenges in The Netherlands. Dome roofs, even though beneficial for heat  dispersion and air circulation, are not typically suited for the Dutch architectural style because  it is predominantly vertical. Similarly, the narrow, tree-lined streets that cool the environment  and reduce direct sunlight are limited because of regulatory and logistical constraints in urban  Dutch settings.  In conclusion, while the albedo-enhanced houses offer an optimistic approach to mitigate UHI  effects, their adoption in the Dutch context requires innovative adaptations and solutions to  overcome existing barriers. The study suggests integrating these features with urban planning  norms and Dutch architectural styles for further research. Moreover, it recommends that  policymakers provide incentives to raise awareness for the adoption of albedo-enhancing  technologies.  This research contributes to the broader conversation about sustainable urban development  and lays the groundwork for policy initiatives, and future studies aimed at mitigating the UHI  phenomenon in densely populated regions.
date: 2024
type: Thesis
type: NonPeerReviewed
format: text
language: en
identifier: https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4575/1/Thesis-Igmar-Hoogendoorn-Final.pdf
identifier:   Hoogendoorn, Igmar  (2024) The contribution of albedo-enhanced houses in The Netherlands to reducing the urban heat island effect.  Bachelor thesis.