Among the main benefits of plants against urban heat is their ability to mitigate heat waves, improving the microclimate of cities and the quality of life for their inhabitants. At a time when extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly frequent, urban greenery plays a crucial role in making cities safer and more livable.
In recent years, we have witnessed more intense and frequent heat waves affecting Europe and the rest of the world. The consequences are evident and often dramatic, especially for the most vulnerable members of society. For this reason, one of the most effective strategies adopted by landscape architects—both in urban projects and Green Plans—is the planting of trees and vegetation.
A large body of scientific research confirms how plants can significantly reduce perceived temperatures in urban environments, thanks to shading and the natural process of evapotranspiration. However, recent studies suggest that as global temperatures continue to rise, the effectiveness of this strategy may gradually decrease.
An important international study carried out by an American and Chinese research team—published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (J. Wang, W. Zhou, S.A. Pichett et al., “A scaling law for predicting urban trees canopy cooling efficiency”, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2401210121)—analyzed the relationship between tree canopy coverage and urban cooling.
The research showed, for example, that in the city of Sacramento an increase of 7.5% in tree canopy cover could lead to a reduction in surface temperature of about 1.5°C. This is an extremely significant result. At the same time, the study highlights that with further global warming, even trees may become less effective in providing cooling benefits.
The benefits of plants against urban heat
This does not diminish the importance of urban greenery—on the contrary, it makes it even more strategic. However, it also means that relying solely on trees will not be enough to effectively combat urban overheating.
For this reason, an integrated approach to landscape design is essential, combining different solutions:
- planting trees and vegetation to provide shade and cooling;
- creating permeable and draining surfaces;
- using high-albedo pavements that reflect heat instead of absorbing it;
- reducing asphalted and impermeable surfaces;
- designing green corridors and shaded public spaces.
Together, these strategies can make a decisive contribution to creating more resilient cities capable of facing the challenges of climate change.
Today, more than 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Improving the microclimate of cities is therefore not only a design choice, but a real necessity for public health and collective well-being.
Plants remain one of the most powerful tools we have: not the only one, but certainly one of the most important to build healthier, cooler and more sustainable urban environments.
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