Global climate change and the urban heat island have continued to worsen thermal conditions in cities. As a result, implementing effective countermeasures for the thermal environment has become essential for future urban development.
These countermeasures can be broadly classified into adaptation strategies and mitigation strategies. One adaptation strategy that has gained attention in recent years is the development of cool spots installed in areas such as train station plazas. To contribute to the spread of higher-quality cool spots, our laboratory is working to establish evaluation indicators that accurately assess the heat mitigation effects of existing facilities and develop design support tools to create more effective installations.
As part of our research on mitigating heat islands and global warming, we are also exploring energy efficiency in building systems. This includes studies on the use of renewable and unused energy sources to reduce sensible heat loads on urban air and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Osaka, a major global metropolis, serves as our research field for studying heat countermeasures. Students could participate in joint research projects with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and private companies, and last year, we conducted a survey to measure cool spots. Seeing research findings contribute to policy-making at the national and municipal levels and being implemented in real-world settings is highly rewarding for researchers.
In architecture and civil engineering, many studies dealt with local issues in Japan. However, it is standard practice to present research results at international conferences and publish them in English. Heat countermeasures in urban areas are a global challenge, and the insights gained in Osaka have the potential to be applied in other countries with similar climates.
Our laboratory has welcomed international students from various backgrounds over the years. Studying together in the same environment allows students to realize the obvious but important truth — that human nature is defined by the individual, not by nationality.
We also organize day trips and factory visits once or twice a year to encourage interaction among lab members. While these activities may seem unrelated to research, broadening one’s perspective through personal connections is invaluable. Even casual conversations can lead to insights that enhance research, so we encourage students to engage actively with others.
With the advancement of AI translation technology, researchers from around the world are now reaching out to us. If you are interested in contributing to a sustainable society through research on the urban environment and energy efficiency of building facilities, we welcome you to join us.
