Research summary
An urban heat island occurs when a city experiences much warmer temperatures than more rural areas nearby. As the effects of climate change grow, the world is experiencing increases in the intensity of these heat islands. Dr. Dominique Derome, Canada Research Chair in Multiscale Building Physics, is exploring the physics at play in this phenomenon.
Derome and his research team are developing new ways to mitigate urban heat islands and assess how heat and moisture move through buildings. They are addressing scientific challenges in building and urban physics, from the role of water in porous building materials to the study of urban micro-climates. They hope their work will lead to new knowledge and innovative engineering solutions to reduce the intensity of urban heat islands.