Urban heat islands and sensitive building design - A study in some French cities' context

This study carried out in late 2013 for the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy (MEDDE), aims primarily to make a situational analysis of the awareness and consideration level of the UHI constraints, by organizations that influence on the location and the design of building hosting sensitive people to high temperature (nursery, retirement homes). This assessment was performed by a national survey which was conducted in 10 French cities which are likely to be affected by the phenomenon of UHI, among 75 local stakeholders who were likely to be involved in the choice of construction or location of this kind of establishment. The UHI mitigation and adaptation practices applied in each city have also been analyzed. These practices are mainly vegetation (green spaces, green screens and roofs) and specific coatings on facades and roofs (variation of radiative properties by using different colors and materials). Among the other main conclusions of this investigation, it appears that only 11% of the total panel questioned considers UHI in decisions and only 17% of the influential stakeholders believe that there has been an evolution in their decision making since the introduction of the PNACC plan in France. These most influential stakeholders in the decision-making process are the designers (prime contracting: thermal and design engineering, architect, etc.). To complete this study, some operational suggestions are proposed to improve the consideration of UHI constraints in decision process, concerning the implementation or the refurbishment of the targeted building.