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Climate Change and Urban Climate: Relations between thermal zones and the socioeconomic conditions of the population of Santiago de Chile

Authors

  • Hugo Romero Universidad de Chile
  • Marcela Salgado Universidad de Chile
  • Pamela Smith Universidad de Chile
Vol. 25 No. 70 (2010): Habitat, Vulnerability and Poverty

Abstract

Urban climates are a principal component of climate change and differ from those in rural areas. The presence of heat islands is a demonstration of this kind of climate, which is caused by urbanization and is directly related with socioeconomic composition of the different people living in the different neighborhoods of the city. In the case of Chile, urban climates are a part of diverse landscape mosaics, which represent deeper social inequalities. The districts of Santiago present different thermal climatic zones that result from several land use and coverage, housing densities and designs, and vegetation covers. Therefore, urban climates are a representation of societal and natural integrated processes. The warmest areas are found in neighborhoods with high-density social buildings lacking green areas that are located in those areas of the city where lower income population predominates. The coolest areas are located in those neighborhoods where the most affluent people live; these zones are characterized by the presence of green spaces and lower dwelling densities. Urban planning at neighborhood scale should implement explicit mitigation and adaptation measures to confront climate changes.

Author Biographies

Hugo Romero, Universidad de Chile

Ph.D. in Geography. Professor, Laboratory of Environment and Territory, Department of Geography, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Universidad de Chile.

Marcela Salgado, Universidad de Chile

Sociologist, Universidad de Concepción. Master in Environmental Planning and Management. Assistant, Laboratory of Environment and Territory, Department of Geography, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Universidad de Chile.

Pamela Smith, Universidad de Chile

Geographer, Universidad de Chile. Assistant, Laboratory of Environment and Territory, Department of Geography, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Universidad de Chile.

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How to Cite
Romero, H., Salgado, M., & Smith, P. (2010). Climate Change and Urban Climate: Relations between thermal zones and the socioeconomic conditions of the population of Santiago de Chile. Revista INVI, 25(70). Retrieved from https://revistainvi.uchile.cl/index.php/INVI/article/view/62330
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Revista INVI
Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo
Universidad de Chile
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