<h5>Which Columbian city was facing extreme heat, and why?</h5><p>Medellin has been known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’ due to its year-round temperate climate. However, in the past, the city of Medellin underwent rapid urban expansion without thinking much about the environment, exposing it to the urban heat island effect. Thus, the city started experiencing higher temperatures than the surrounding suburban and rural areas.</p><p>Medellin, Columbia’s second-largest city, was also facing poor air quality due to the rise in private transport. Its geographical location in Aburra Valley worsened the situation, as pollution got trapped within the mountains.</p><p>These factors compelled the people of Medellin to look for a solution.</p><h5>What solution did the people of Medellin evolve to deal with the heat?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/columbian-city-beats-the-heat-with-green-corridors%2FVertical%20garden.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=2647c777-139d-42e0-8111-5e17bbb47b04"><figcaption>A vertical garden in Medellin’s city hall. Photo by reasons to be cheerful.</figcaption></figure><p>In 2016, under the leadership of Medellin’s mayor, Frederico Guiterrez, a new approach was launched for the city’s urban development, one that focused more on people and plants.</p><p>Subsequently, a $16.3 million initiative led to the setting up of 30 Green Corridors along with the city’s roads and waterways. This improved more than 70 hectares of green space in the city. The ‘green corridors’ also reduced the city's overall air-conditioning needs.</p><p>According to local government data, this initiative has led to a 2-degree Celsius reduction in temperatures across the city. It’s said that in coming decades, the temperatures can further drop by 4-5 degrees.</p><h5>Can you tell me more about these ‘Green Corridors’?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/columbian-city-beats-the-heat-with-green-corridors%2FGreen%20street.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=16a943b0-5b6f-484f-b975-f614bc2826c5"><figcaption>A visual of the city’s green street. Photo by BBC.</figcaption></figure><p>The ‘Green Corridors’ connected newly-greened roadsides, vertical gardens, streams, parks, and nearby hills. The corridors are designed to resemble mini forests with low, medium, and high plants, including bamboo grasses and palm trees.</p><p>Heat-trapping buildings like metro stations and bridges were also greened as part of the initiative. Government buildings were decorated with vertical gardens and green roofs.</p><p>New bicycle routes were also built as part of the initiative. This led to a 34.6% rise in the city's cycling trend, indicating a healthier lifestyle for many. Furthermore, scientists say that wildlife has started returning to the city.</p><h5>What did we learn from this article?</h5><p>In light of global warming and climate change, many cities around the world will witness a rise in temperatures. Thus, we must learn from the city of Medellin and implement similar initiatives to make our cities cooler, greener, and healthier.</p>

Medellin, a city in Columbia, used ‘Green Corridors’ to beat the urban heat island effect.

Columbian City Beats the Heat with Green Corridors

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

Paris Increases SUV Parking Fees

New Satellite Launched to Track Methane Pollution

Critically Endangered Bird Sighted

Columbian City Beats the Heat with Green Corridors

Collect 150 Hootcoins.

Did you read these articles?

Paris Increases SUV Parking Fees

New Satellite Launched to Track Methane Pollution

Critically Endangered Bird Sighted