Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	EP/P025145/1
Title:	Urban Albedo Computation in High Latitude Locations: An Experimental Approach
Principal Investigator:	Nikolopoulou, Professor M
Other Investigators:	Renganathan, Dr G Watkins, Dr R
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	ARCC CIBSE European Cool Roof Council (replace) Greater London Authority (GLA) Ibstock Building Products Ltd London Assembly SWECO International
Department:	Kent Sch of Architecture
Organisation:	University of Kent
Scheme:	Standard Research
Starts:	01 August 2017	Ends:	31 January 2021	Value (£):	328,570
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Civil Engineering Materials Urban & Land Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Environment
Related Grants:	EP/P025153/1 EP/P02517X/1
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 09 Feb 2017 Engineering Prioritisation Panel Meeting 9 and 10 February 2017 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposed research will develop a novel experimental and modelling study for the computation of urban albedo in high latitude locations, using London as a representative urban environment in the UK. This work is primarily motivated by the need to provide accurate albedo estimates for urban configurations, as such calculations are lacking in most Urban Heat Island (UHI) models used to mitigate its effects. The research will investigate the seasonal effects of albedo on urban temperature. Albedo intervention can bring substantial positive effects during the summer while marginal negative effects are expected in winter. In mild climates such a negative effect might out-weigh summer benefits. It is possible that seasonal intervention on the urban fabric could give an overall positive impact but for this, accurate computation of urban albedo is required at urban design or intervention stage. These issues will be investigated in the proposed study which has three aims; (a) to investigate experimentally the impact of urban fabric on urban albedo; (b) to develop a catalogue of urban albedo for various material and geometrical combinations and (c) to develop an empirical model to predict changes in urban albedo in relation to changes in urban fabric and solar altitude with a specific focus on advanced materials. This aim will be achieved through an extensive experimental study that includes field and laboratory scale measurements, computer modelling, and followed by the development of an urban albedo calculator that is able to explore seasonal variations. The Urban Albedo Calculator values could be used to predict the urban heat island with greater confidence.
Key Findings
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Project URL:
Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.kent.ac.uk