Review and Critical Analysis of International UHI Studies

would seek to incentivize UHI countermeasure investments by making them affordable would
likely act to increase the uptake of UHI sensitive designs. The economics behind UHI measures
are covered to varying degrees and most studies looked at quantifying the life‐cycle costs to help
justify the often higher first cost associated with the countermeasures. There was however, no
mention of potential financial mechanisms that could support the mass deployment of such
schemes within the literature.
Awareness: Examines the market awareness of any financial/economic barriers associated with
the UHI countermeasures and the level of understanding amongst the key UHI stakeholders. For
example, is the commercial sector aware of the financial benefits they can achieve by employing
UHI mitigation technologies? The literature did not indicate the level of awareness or identify
any barriers that may prevent stakeholders from becoming informed.
Accessibility: Examines if stakeholders with the potential to enact mass deployment of UHI
countermeasures have appropriate access to funds, financing tools and mechanisms. For
example, the use reduction of tax on green solutions may render green roofs more affordable for
mass implementation. The literature did not indicate any barriers that may prevent stakeholders
from having access to such funds where they existed.
Affordability: Examines whether with the price of UHI mitigation technologies is affordable to
key stakeholders. Does the higher price with some UHI technologies present a market barrier?
For example, different sectors will examine costs in different sensitivities; the residential sector is
likely to be more sensitive to the first costs whereas the commercial sector is more focused on the
life‐cycle costs and payback periods. In the literature, only cool roofs have been demonstrated to
on average costs the same as conventional equivalents.
Acceptance: A combination of the above factors will determine the acceptability of any UHI
technology purchasing decision. This will be dependent upon the form, fit and function of the
product, the presence and awareness of funds and financial mechanisms to incentivize uptake,
quantification and interpretation of performance benefits of UHI technologies in monetary terms.
The literature indicated that often the superior performance benefits of UHI technologies over
conventional solutions would often make the higher initial prices more palatable; however, there
was no discussion of funds or financial mechanisms to support such decisions. Cost‐benefit
analysis exercises highlighting the UHI countermeasure’s benefits would make them more
financially appealing.
Primary Barriers/Catalysts:
� Initial costs of technology;
� Life‐cycle cost benefit analysis of technology;
� Costing of ancillary benefits and drawbacks of technology; and
� Level of Government funding available for UHI and related (e.g. climate change)
incentive programs.
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