extreme heat– tag –

Japanese cities often remain hot long after sunset. Asphalt, concrete, dense buildings, artificial waste heat, and declining green space all contribute to the urban heat island effect. This article examines why cities struggle to cool down and how shade, water, wind, soil, and green infrastructure can help create safer and more heat-resilient urban environments.

Street trees are more than urban decoration. They provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, absorb rainwater, support biodiversity, and protect pedestrians from extreme heat. Yet the trees themselves are being weakened by compacted soil, limited root space, drought, heavy pruning, and rising temperatures. This article examines the role of street trees as living infrastructure and asks whether Japan’s urban greenery can survive a hotter future.