ABSTRACT
Although there is significant scientific evidence on the impact of heat waves, there are few studies that analyze the effects of sociodemographic factors on the impact of heat waves below the municipal level. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of income level, percent of the population over age 65, existence of air conditioning units and hectares (Ha) of green zones in districts in Madrid, in the impact of heat on daily mortality between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013. Seventeen districts were analyzed, and Generalized Linear (GLM) Poisson Regression Models were used to calculate relative risks (RR) and attributable risks (RA) for the impact of heat waves on mortality due to natural causes (CIEX:A00-R99). The pattern of risks obtained was analyzed using GLM univariates and multivariates of the binomial family (link logit), introducing the socioeconomic and demographic variables mentioned above. The results indicate that heat wave had an impact in only three of the districts analyzed. In the univariate models, all of the variables were statistically significant, but Ha of green zones lost significance in the multivariate model. Income level, existence of air conditioning units, and percent of the population over age 65 in the district remained as variables that modulate the impact of heat wave on daily mortality in the municipality of Madrid. Income level was the key variable that explained this behavior. The results obtained in this study show that there are factors at levels below the municipal level (district level) that should be considered as focus areas for health policy in order to decrease the impact of heat and promote the process of adaptation to heat in the context of climate change.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Hot Temperature , Cities , Mortality , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
More than half the world's population lives in cities that were designed with a complete disregard for nature. Then, it is vital that nature should be present in these spaces to provide ecological support for urban areas. Natural elements that are in these spaces should be designed with people's comfort in mind. This research explores the application of the PET and UTCI biometeorological comfort indices in urban microspaces, where the general environmental parameters of the city are not valid and each space must be measured individually. The research looked into the influence of the design of natural elements on improving comfort. The results show that in the children's playing spaces, the absence of thermal comfort and considerable thermal stress were detected in summer. This effect is more easily seen in the PET values. The benefits to comfort of having double layers of vegetation in the gardens have also been shown. The micro-droplets of water from the jets in the fountains are carried by the breeze and modify the human-biometeorological conditions around the fountains and reduce thermal stress. This improvement needs an appropriate design of the fountains and an awareness of the breeze patterns in these spaces.
Subject(s)
City Planning , Environment Design , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Parks, Recreational/organization & administration , Urban Renewal , Cities , Climate , Humans , Male , Mediterranean Region , Meteorology , Models, Theoretical , Seasons , Spain , ThermosensingABSTRACT
RESUMEN El análisis de cambios de uso de la tierra es esencial para comprender la condición actual y prospectar el estado del suelo toda vez que puede generar impactos en las condiciones del mismo, pero estas respuestas no han sido suficientemente caracterizadas en las condiciones de clima seco tropical. Mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado, se recolectaron muestras de suelo (n=5) a dos profundidades y tres tipos de uso de la tierra (natural, agrícola y zonas verdes) en Santa Marta Colombia, para evaluar los efectos del uso sobre características físicas y químicas del suelo. Los resultados mostraron cambios significativos en el contenido de carbono, nitrógeno total, humedad, temperatura, densidad aparente, porosidad total y CIC. El análisis de componentes principales logró separar las características edáficas por uso donde los mayores contenidos de carbono se asociaron a las zonas verdes, los de porosidad a la zona de bosque y los mayores valores en conductividad, pH y humedad se encontraron en la zona agrícola, demostrando que el uso del suelo influye sobre las características físicas y químicas, por lo que se requiere seguimiento para un manejo sostenible del recurso.
ABSTRACT The analysis of land use change is essential to understand the current condition and prospect the soil state soil whenever it can generate impacts in soil conditions, but these responses are not well characterized under dry tropical climate conditions. Using a stratified random sampling, samples (n = 5) at two soil depths and three types of land use (natural, agricultural and green zones) were collected in Santa Marta, Colombia, to evaluate the land use effects on some physical and chemical soil properties. The results showed significant changes in carbon content, total nitrogen, humidity temperature, bulk density total porosity and CEC. The principal components analysis differed edaphic characteristics by use, where the higher contents carbon was associated to green areas, the porosity to forest area and the highest values in conductivity, pH and humidity were found in the agricultural area, thus, the soil use influences physical and chemical characteristics, so it is necessary to follow up for a sustainable soil management.
RESUMO A análise das mudanças no uso da terra é essencial para entender a condição atual e prospectar o estado do solo sempre que ele pode gerar impactos nas condições da terra, mas essas respostas são mal caracterizadas em condições climáticas tropicais secas. As amostras (n = 5) foram coletadas em duas profundidades do solo e três tipos de uso do solo (natural, agrícola e verde) em Santa Marta, Colombia, para avaliar os efeitos do uso em algumas características físicas e químicas do solo. Os resultados mostraram mudanças significativas no teor de carbono, nitrogênio total, umidade, temperatura, densidade aparente, porosidade total e CTC. A análise dos componentes principais foi capaz de separar as características edáficas pelo uso em que o maior teor de carbono estava associado às áreas verdes, a porosidade na área da floresta e os maiores valores de condutividade, pH e umidade foram encontrados na área agrícola, demonstrando que o uso do solo influencia as características físicas e químicas, razão pela qual o monitoramento é necessário para uma gestão sustentável do recurso.
