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Narrator: Listen to part of a lecture in an environmental science class. Professor: So today we’re going to talk about urban heat islands. Now, cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas. This is due to several factors. First, concrete and asphalt absorb and re-radiate heat more than vegetation does. Second, buildings block wind, reducing cooling effects. But here’s something interesting: not all parts of a city are equally warm. Parks and green spaces can be significantly cooler than nearby dense districts. This is called the park cool island effect. Researchers have found that a single large park can lower temperatures by up to 5 degrees Celsius within its boundaries, and even affect areas several hundred meters away. However, the effect depends on the park’s size, vegetation density, and water features. For example, a park with a large pond and dense trees will have a stronger cooling effect than a dry, grassy field. So urban planners are now using this knowledge to design greener cities, strategically placing parks to reduce heat in residential areas.