Urban vegetation and shade essential for pedestrian mobility

Environmental engineer Karen Martínez, an associate at Arup, highlights the necessity of integrating shade and vegetation into urban design to combat extreme heat and improve pedestrian mobility.

According to Martínez, trees and permeable soils are essential for reducing solar radiation and heat accumulation caused by asphalt and concrete. These elements help maintain comfortable temperatures for walking, ensuring that short-distance pedestrian travel remains a viable option during heatwaves.

A 2023 study by Arup, titled ‘Urban Heat Snapshot’, demonstrates the impact of urban design. In Madrid, researchers identified temperature variations of up to 8 ºC between the hottest and coolest areas, noting a direct correlation between lower temperatures and higher vegetation density.