Modern cities face a growing challenge: the heat island effect. This phenomenon, which causes an increase in temperatures in urban areas, could find an unexpected solution in sports fields. A team of Dutch scientists has developed an innovative technology that promises to transform these spaces into oases of coolness, offering a double benefit: comfort for athletes and cooling for the surrounding urban environment.
An innovative solution for the urban heat island
The heat island effect represents a significant challenge for cities around the world. Artificial turf sports fields, known to reach high temperatures during hot weather, contribute to this problem. However, new research (I link it to you here) led by Dr. Marjolein van Huijgevoort from the KWR Water Research Institute offers a promising solution.
The system developed by Dutch researchers is based on the principle of evaporative cooling, the same mechanism that keeps natural grass fields cooler than artificial ones. The innovation consists in replicating this natural process in an artificial environment. As? We see.
The new sports field design includes several layers:
- A top layer of special open-backed artificial grass, 50mm thick
- Below, a 30 mm layer of sand
- Even lower, a 20 mm layer of shock-absorbing porous foam
- Finally, an 85 mm high rainwater tank
The tank, made of a structural polymer material called Permavoid 85S, is the key element of this innovation. This material, usually used in “green roofs” for the energy efficiency of buildings, allows rainwater to be stored under the field.
Operation of the cooling system
When it rains, the water passes through the artificial grass and other layers, collecting in the reservoir. A series of vertical cylinders filled with rock wool inside the Permavoid returns some of this water upwards by capillary action.
As the outside temperature rises, water continually evaporates from the cylinders, through the foam, sand and artificial turf, into the atmosphere. This process produces an evaporative cooling effect similar to that of natural grass.
Test results
The comparative tests gave very, very interesting results:
- The field with the new system has reached a surface temperature of 37 °C;
- The standard pitch with artificial grass reached 62,5 °C;
- A natural grass field recorded 35,3 °C.
Again: measurements taken 75cm above the pitches showed that the air above the rainwater-cooled pitch remained significantly cooler than that above the standard artificial pitch.
In addition to reducing the heat island effect, this technology offers the advantage of conserving rainwater that would otherwise end up in the sewers. And when the rain is scarce? In that case, the tanks could be filled with water from the municipal water supply.
Anti-heat island synthetic fields: future prospects
This innovation could have a significant impact not only on sports fields, but also on the urban environment in general. Dr. van Huijgevoort highlights the importance of this technology for urban areas, where there is a growing need for sports and recreational facilities, especially for children.
It will be necessary to reduce the costs of the technology and evaluate the long-term impact of these systems in different urban climate conditions, but expectations are high and trust is no different.
This solution can be a significant step towards mitigating the heat island effect in cities. Transforming sports fields from heat sources to cool oases, we may soon see a radical change in the way we conceive and use urban spaces. I can't wait!
