TRADITION AND INNOVATION IN BIOCLIMATIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONTROLLING OUTDOOR MICROCLIMATES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION

Cities are characterized by air temperatures several degrees higher than their surroundings due to specific urban features, their albedo and urban waste heat. The reduced evaporative cooling caused by the lack of green spaces leads to elevated surface temperature, generating the urban heat island (UHI)phenomenon which is expected to increase due to climate change in the Mediterranean area. In a similar context, understanding how urban authorities can cope with the high temperature events, and providing input for mitigation measures is of paramount importance. The climatic conditions within cities are not the same in all their parts, so it is crucial to identify heat stress risk areas. The complexity of the UHI phenomenon and the development of bioclimatic strategies for its mitigation require an approach based on a systemic vision.