Methodology of selection of tree species for urban shading in the eastern part of the Cantabrian coast

Abstract

The mitigation of the Urban Heat Island is one of the biggest future challenges in cities due to climate change. One of the methods to achieve the cooling of urban spaces is the attenuation of solar radiation provided by the trees. In the present article, a methodology of selection of arboreal species is proposed for the improvement of thermal comfort in urbanized areas of the eastern part of the Cantabrian coast. Starting from a pre-selection of native species, a classification of various species suitable for shading is obtained, describing its main characteristics and its possible use scope according to the typology of urban space.