Wetlands, parks and even botanical gardens among the best ways to cool cities during heatwaves – says biggest-ever global study

Botanical gardens are not just beautiful – they can cool the city air by 5°C during heatwaves, according to the most comprehensive review of its kind led by the University of Surrey. Parks and wetlands have a similar effect.   

The study analysed how green spaces and waterways cool down cities and towns.   

Professor Prashant Kumar, Director of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), said:  

"We have known for some time that green spaces and water can cool cities down. However, this study provides us the most comprehensive picture yet. What's more – we can explain why. From trees providing shade, to evaporating water cooling the air."   

They found that while success depends heavily on local factors – there were some general patterns. Among the key findings, the following green spaces and waterways cooled the air considerably: 

• Botanical gardens: -5°C avg (variation: -2.2°C to -10°C) 

• Wetlands: -4.7°C avg (variation: -1.2°C to -12°C) 

• Rain garden: -4.5°C avg (variation: -1.3°C to -7°C) 

• Green walls: -4.1°C avg (variation: -0.1°C to -18°C) 

• Street trees: -3.8°C avg (variation: -0.5°C to -12°C) 

• City farm: -3.5°C avg (variation -3°C to -3.9°C)  

• Parks: -3.2°C avg (variation -0.8°C to -10°C) 

• Reservoirs -2.9°C avg (variation  -1.8°C to 5°C) 

• Playgrounds: -2.9°C avg (variation: -2.8°C to -3°C)  

Up to a point, the bigger the park – the bigger the cooling effect. Cities can unlock greater benefits by connecting green spaces into 'green corridors'.   

Greening projects can also remove carbon emissions and even help prevent flooding.   

Professor Kumar said:  

"This will help town planners around the world confront the challenges of global heating. By implementing just some of the measures we describe, cities can become more resilient, and their citizens can be healthier and happier too." 

However – the team also found areas of the globe which were vulnerable to heat – but had not researched the best way to use green spaces to cool down.  

Maria de Fatima Andrade, Professor at the Atmospheric Sciences Department at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, said:  

“Our paper confirms just how many ways there are to keep cool. But it also reveals how much work is left to do. Institutions around the world need to invest in the right research – because what’s very clear from our study is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on what works for your community.” 

The study is published in the journal, The Innovation.  

The study demonstrates the University of Surrey's contribution towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).