Scientists from the RWTH Aachen and San Francisco State University have investigated the extent to which parks can lower temperatures in cities. The researchers found that green spaces in San Francisco are, on average, three degrees cooler than their surroundings, with some areas reaching as much as 9.7 degrees lower.
A notable example of the study’s findings is the large Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, which exhibits a temperature range of 5.1 to 9.7 degrees lower than the surrounding city neighborhoods. To gather the data, researchers employed a combination of satellite information and mobile weather stations, which recorded climate data such as air temperature and wind speed.
The study’s results have been published in the latest issue of the RWTH science magazine. The research highlights the significant influence of park size and type on their cooling effect. As heatwaves become more frequent, such findings may prove crucial for urban planning.