word
Urban Heat Island
ER-bun HEET EYE-lund
/ˈɜːrbən hiːt ˈaɪlənd/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
UrbanHeatIsland
Dictionary meaning
A metropolitan area that is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and the built environment. Dark pavement, dense buildings, waste heat from vehicles and air conditioners, and the absence of vegetation all contribute to urban heat islands, which intensify during heat waves.
Examples
- Temperatures in the city center were 5°C higher than in surrounding suburbs due to the urban heat island effect.
- Tree-planting programs are one strategy cities use to mitigate urban heat islands.
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