What is the Heat Island Reduction strategy and where is it applied?

• A. It involves planting trees to shade sidewalks and is applied in IP
• B. Using reflective roofs/ paving and shading to reduce ambient air temperatures and cooling loads; applied in SS
• C. It focuses on daylighting
• D. It uses dark pavement to absorb heat

Answer: (B)

Heat Island Reduction addresses the urban heat island effect by cutting heat absorbed by buildings and surrounding surfaces. The strategy relies on reflective, high-albedo roofs and pavements and adds shading to reduce ambient air temperatures, which in turn lowers cooling energy needs for buildings. In LEED, this approach is categorized under Sustainable Sites (SS). The option describing reflective roofs/paving and shading as a way to reduce ambient temperatures and cooling loads, with SS as the application area, is the best fit. The other choices either mix in concepts not specific to heat island reduction (like daylighting) or place the strategy in an inappropriate category (for example, Integrative Process).