Post-Doc, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science
About
HiTemp project (High Density Temperature Measurements within the Urban environment)
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a direct consequence of anthropogenic influences on our local climate - although the UHI phenomenon is well documented, the basic measurement of temperatures across urban areas remains very limited. Climate change scenarios suggest increases in mean temperatures exacerbate heat waves - most noticeable in urban areas.
The long-term aim of the HiTemp project research team is to identify, model and promote adaptation to the impacts of urban heat and climate change on the people and infrastructure of major conurbations. Urban heat is amongst the most pressing priorities of impacts of climate change. The project will see 250 temperature sensors and 33 weather stations installed in the Birmingham conurbation: 131 of these will be located on schools, approximately 100 on lampposts in the CBD, whilst the weather stations will be sited in primary sub-stations. The project will see Birmingham having the densest temperature-sensor network in the world and will lead to a number of research projects examining Birmingham’s urban heat island (UHI) in more detail than ever-before possible.
As part of this project, a number of educational-outreach activities will be carried out with the schools involved – this will ultimately improve the schools’ links with the university.
