Urban heat island

The urban heat island effect causes urban areas to become several degrees hotter than surrounding rural areas. In hot summers cities will become increasingly uncomfortable to live in.

Green infrastructure such as parks, green spaces and street trees can be used to moderate the urban heat island effect.

Find out how the parks authority in Victoria, Australia is responding to the threat posed by extreme heat and how trees are being used to control temperatures in the Chiswick Park development and the City of Chicago.

What people are saying

Managing the effects of heat in Victoria’s parks

Parks Victoria is responding to drought and extreme temperatures by implementing a coordinated strategy of water and energy conservation, green space management and public education.

What people are doing

Chicago urban forest, USA

The City of Chicago is harnessing the potential of trees to reduce the impact of heatwaves by developing and implementing a strategic management plan for its ‘urban forest’.

Chiswick Park, West London

Demonstrates how designing a high quality landscape naturally integrates adaptation measures such as large trees, surface water and good irrigation.

Useful links

Sustainable Cities - moderate the urban heat island

Background on the urban heat island as well as information about how to moderate the effects.

Green streets initiative in Manchester

Giving local people the chance to improve their neighbourhood by working together to plant trees and shrubs.

London's urban heat island

How the heat island affects London and how decision makers can manage it.

Modelling the impact of urban planting

University of Manchester research on urban planting and the urban heat island effect.

Trees and Design action group

Working to ensure that trees are seen as an integral part of the built environment.

Land regeneration and urban greening

Read the latest research from the Forestry Comission about urban greening.

Climate change research at the Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission's work on impact assessment and monitoring, adaptation and mitigation.

How our natural landscape will adapt to climate change

Learn what natural England is doing to help sustain the natural environment.