How does LEED support the reduction of urban heat islands?

LEED supports the reduction of urban heat islands primarily by encouraging the use of vegetated roofs and reflective pavements. Urban heat islands occur when built environments absorb and retain heat, leading to elevated temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. By promoting vegetated roofs, which not only provide insulation and cooling benefits but also contribute to increased biodiversity, LEED encourages practices that mitigate heat absorption. Reflective pavements, on the other hand, are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, further helping to lower surface temperatures.

In contrast, using dark-colored roofing materials can actually contribute to higher heat absorption, exacerbating the urban heat island effect. Restricting landscaping options would not address the issue of heat islands; rather, it could limit the cooling effects that vegetation provides. Lastly, increasing impermeable surfaces does not support heat island reduction; instead, it can lead to greater heat retention and runoff issues. Thus, promoting vegetated roofs and reflective pavements is a strategic approach to combatting urban heat islands as part of LEED's overall sustainability goals.