I was asked this week what we need to do to increase shade in our streets for walkability. Of course we need more trees and more verge gardens. Perhaps that was all I was supposed to say.
I have spent years telling people that black or dark colours absorb much heat and why our car is WHITE and yet black huge four wheel drives are out driving up heat on our huge black tar roads which melt in extreme heat but…?governments still allow black rooftops..and developers seem to like that so ..🤷🏾♀️. Trees are good but roads can be lighter etc.This is a stupid country although here in Queensland someone worked out that white rooftops are popular even though we love Fast cars …..
White rooftops are easier to adopt because don't require us to change anything about how we live. They also have someone with a product to sell.
There have been experiments with light coloured and reflective road surfaces - but that creates a lot of glare and a hostile environment for nearby pedestrians.
I have spent years telling people that black or dark colours absorb much heat and why our car is WHITE and yet black huge four wheel drives are out driving up heat on our huge black tar roads which melt in extreme heat but…?governments still allow black rooftops..and developers seem to like that so ..🤷🏾♀️. Trees are good but roads can be lighter etc.This is a stupid country although here in Queensland someone worked out that white rooftops are popular even though we love Fast cars …..
White rooftops are easier to adopt because don't require us to change anything about how we live. They also have someone with a product to sell.
There have been experiments with light coloured and reflective road surfaces - but that creates a lot of glare and a hostile environment for nearby pedestrians.
https://theconversation.com/lighter-pavement-really-does-cool-cities-when-its-done-right-162918
And yes, the love of fast cars. How do we get over that?
I’ve seen some people try to wrap them around light posts to get rid of them.
I think I would prefer to have grass on the verge because it limits soil erosion and dust. For these reasons, I’m staying with grass.
Good to see much of these reflected in this discussion paper by Engineers Australia. Free webinar 27 March 2025 https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/event/2022/05/discussion-paper-towards-safer-and-more-liveable-urban-streets-7341d975