In the heart of Tehran, a city battling the relentless heat of the Middle East, a silent struggle is unfolding. Urban green spaces, the city’s natural air conditioners, are shrinking, and with them, the city’s ability to cool itself. But a new study, led by S. Malekzadeh from the Department of Planning, Environmental Management and HSE at the University of Tehran’s Alborz Campus, is shining a light on this issue, offering hope and a roadmap for change.
Malekzadeh and their team have been crunching numbers and analyzing satellite data to understand how Tehran’s green infrastructure is faring. Their findings, published in the International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management, are a wake-up call. “We’ve seen a significant decline in green spaces over the past two decades,” Malekzadeh warns. “And if this trend continues, we’re looking at a future where our cities are not just hotter, but also less livable.”
The study, which spans from 2002 to 2022, reveals a stark reality. Green spaces in Tehran have dwindled from 13.1% to 11.8%, with a projected further decline to 11.7% by 2032. This loss is not just about aesthetics; it’s about survival. Green spaces, through a process called evapotranspiration, cool the air around them, acting as nature’s air conditioners. They also provide shade and absorb heat, further mitigating the urban heat island effect.
But the story doesn’t end at discomfort. The energy sector is feeling the heat too. As cities warm, the demand for air conditioning soars, straining power grids and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. A study by the International Energy Agency found that the global demand for space cooling is expected to triple by 2050. This is not just an environmental issue; it’s an economic one.
Malekzadeh’s research offers a glimmer of hope. By understanding the cooling effects of green infrastructure, cities can plan better. They can prioritize green spaces, not just as parks, but as vital infrastructure. This could mean more green roofs, vertical gardens, and urban forests. It could mean integrating green spaces into the heart of cities, not just on their fringes.
The study also highlights the uneven distribution of green spaces in Tehran. Some districts, like District 22, are doing better, with higher Urban Heat Mitigation Index values. Others, like District 10, are lagging. This disparity underscores the need for equitable urban planning.
So, what does this mean for the future? It means that cities need to start seeing green spaces not as luxuries, but as necessities. It means that urban planners, policymakers, and the energy sector need to work together. It means that we need to start valuing our urban forests as much as we value our power grids.
As Malekzadeh puts it, “The future of our cities depends on how we manage our green spaces today. It’s not just about making our cities greener; it’s about making them cooler, more resilient, and more livable.” This research is more than just a study; it’s a call to action. It’s a reminder that in the fight against urban heat, every park, every tree, every patch of green matters. And it’s a beacon of hope, guiding us towards a cooler, greener future.
