Review and Critical Analysis of International UHI Studies

technology, it evaluates the availability and/or barriers of these three elements in promoting its
market adoption.
Awareness ‐ Does the market know about the technology? What is the overall level of awareness
among all UHI stakeholders with respect to the more efficient technology being evaluated? This
critical step evaluates to what extent market participants (i.e., distributors, retailers, designers,
contractors, and end‐users) are aware of a more efficient technology, and what barriers might be
preventing them from becoming informed.
Accessibility ‐ Does the market have easy access to the UHI technology through traditional
distribution channels? Once a technology is available and people are aware of it, the market
needs to have easy access to purchasing the technology. Accessibility concentrates on the flow of
products, technologies, and information to all stakeholders.
Affordability ‐ Is the market able to bear the selling price? Does the higher purchase price of the
UHI technology represent a market barrier? Some sectors (e.g., residential) can be particularly
first cost sensitive, while others (e.g., commercial) are more likely to look at life‐cycle cost and
payback periods. If the UHI technology is more expensive than the source it seeks to supplant, it
may experience an affordability barrier to capturing a greater share of the market.
Acceptance ‐ The last step of the 5Aʹs barrier analysis brings together elements of the preceding
four Aʹs, with other factors that impact a purchasing decision ‐ the form, fit and function of a
product. These attributes of a particular product (e.g., operating life, performance quality, noise
production) can represent a barrier to market acceptance. Market barriers found in Acceptance
typically lead to programs or solutions being carried out in one or more of the preceding four Aʹs.
5.5.4 Barrier/Catalyst Category Review
5.5.4.1 Institutional Barriers/Catalyst
The five A’s are now examined for influential structures that act to govern collective behaviors –
in this analysis institutions take the form of both government and non‐government agencies,
authorities, bodies, etc.
Availability: it is important the appropriate agencies and authorities exist that can take
responsibility for driving the implementation agenda for the key UHI mitigating
countermeasures. These bodies must have the authority and relevant policies, standards and
frameworks in place that address UHI issues and provide the foundations for mass
implementation of UHI technologies. Furthermore, it is critical that the enforcing bodies are
coordinated in their action and don’t have split authority and overlapping mandates. Bodies such
as the US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, Building Associations
and Federal, State and Municipal Governments exist and have the appropriate authorities
described. These bodies were discussed in part by the papers reviewed.
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