LEED Green Associate Practice Test

What action can help address the heat island effect in urban landscapes?

1. Reduce the size of building footprints

2. Implement high-reflectance materials

3. Increase impervious surfaces

4. Minimize open space

The correct answer is: Implement high-reflectance materials

Implementing high-reflectance materials is a highly effective strategy for addressing the heat island effect in urban landscapes. The heat island effect occurs when urban areas experience significantly higher temperatures than their rural surroundings, primarily due to the abundant use of dark, heat-absorbing materials like asphalt and roofing. High-reflectance materials, such as light-colored or reflective roofing and paving, can help mitigate this effect by reflecting more sunlight and absorbing less heat. This can lead to cooler urban environments, reducing the demand for air conditioning and decreasing energy use. In contrast, reducing the size of building footprints, increasing impervious surfaces, and minimizing open space do not directly contribute to alleviating the heat island effect. Reducing building footprints might help in some contexts, but alone it does not address surface temperatures effectively. Increasing impervious surfaces typically exacerbates the heat island effect as these surfaces retain heat. Minimizing open space is also counterproductive, as green spaces play a crucial role in cooling environments through processes like evapotranspiration. Thus, the use of high-reflectance materials stands out as a clear and direct solution to mitigating the heat island effect.