Current and newly built buildings will inevitably experience the effects of climate change, therefore, the design and performance of these buildings should consider weather data that includes some of the effects of climate change, instead of only using historical weather data. However, climate change weather data suitable for buildings performance simulation are typically unavailable.

Highlights

As cities grapple with the impacts of heatwaves, exacerbated by the urban heat island effect and amplified by climate change impacts, green spaces can cool urban areas, as well as provide health and wellbeing benefits to city dwellers and habitat for biodiversity.

This paper analyzes the observed highest temperatures that occur every year at nearly 9000 stations, and how they are changing over time and especially over the past 50 and 30 years. This research found these short-term heatwaves to be increasing in most places, especially Eurasia and Australia, and also in megacities.

It has become increasingly important to study the urban heat island phenomenon due to the adverse effects on summertime cooling energy demand, air and water quality and most importantly, heat-related illness and mortality. The present article analyses the magnitude and the characteristics of the urban heat island in Sydney, Australia. Climatic data from six meteorological stations distributed around the greater Sydney region and covering a period of 10 years are used. It is found that both strong urban heat island (UHI) and oasis phenomena are developed.

The frequency and intensity of urban heatwaves (UHWs) have been growing worldwide due to climate change and the exacerbating effects of urban heat islands (UHIEs). UHWs have many negative impacts, including excess negative health outcomes (e.g. morbidity), energy (consumption and peak demand) and water consumption. Most studies have evaluated these impacts separately even though there is an interplay between them.

During summer heatwaves, heat load exacerbates in urban heat islands (especially in hot climates) and threatens public life in cities. This paper examines the links between urban microclimates, outdoor thermal discomfort and public life through an exploratory case study. Heat resilience is highlighted as the ability of the space to support its normal activities when experiencing out-of-comfort temperatures. It also reports on the correlations between heat sensitive outdoor activities and urban greenery in three disparate case studies in Adelaide.