Cambios climáticos y climas Urbanos: Relaciones entre zonas termales y condiciones socioeconómicas de la población de Santiago de Chile

Abstract

Urban climates are a principal component of climate change and differ from those in rural areas. The presence of heat islands is a demonstration of this kind of climate, which is caused by urbanization and is directly related with socioeconomic composition of the different people living in the different neighborhoods of the city. In the case of Chile, urban climates are a part of diverse landscape mosaics, which represent deeper social inequalities. The districts of Santiago present different thermal climatic zones that result from several land use and coverage, housing densities and designs, and vegetation covers. Therefore, urban climates are a representation of societal and natural integrated processes. The warmest areas are found in neighborhoods with high-density social buildings lacking green areas that are located in those areas of the city where lower income population predominates. The coolest areas are located in those neighborhoods where the most affluent people live; these zones are characterized by the presence of green spaces and lower dwelling densities. Urban planning at neighborhood scale should implement explicit mitigation and adaptation measures to confront climate changes.