Environmental Impact Assessment of Urban Heat Island Phenomena Based on Endpoint-Type Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methodology

We developed an environmental impact assessment model of urban heat islands (UHI) based on the endpoint-type life cycle impact assessment methodology to evaluate various environmental impacts with single index. The relationships of thermal/cold stress (including hyperthermia) and energy consumption with air temperature were quantified within the developed model. The environmental impacts by the increase in air temperature in Tokyo were evaluated. The results showed that the benefit by the reduction in cold stress by UHI exceeded other impacts. The introduction of UHI countermeasures which reduce air temperature throughout the year makes adverse effects on our society.