2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
Atmospheric Environment in Megacities
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Global Engineering for Development, Environment and Society
- Instructor(s)
- Manabu Kanda / Alvin Christopher Galang Varquez
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon / 7-8 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- GEG.E411
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
The atmosphere over urban areas is much more complicated than that over other land surfaces due to the effects of complex geometry of infrastructures, variable artificial heat sources, and frequent renewal of surface conditions. In the last few decades, interdisciplinary and innovative research projects have advanced the framework of urban meteorology. The advanced knowledge suggests that the urban boundary layer mostly follows the simple physical similarity law in spite of the complexity of urban surfaces, and this allows the future projection of urban atmosphere based on future global and regional socio-economic scenarios.
This course starts with the principles of numerical simulation and monitoring technologies of the urban atmosphere, and then provides recent advancements in urban meteorology including epoch-making projects and cutting edge technologies.
Course description and aims
Students will be able to learn the principles of numerical simulation and monitoring technologies for the urban atmosphere together with recent advancements in urban meteorology including epoch-making projects and cutting edge technologies.
Keywords
Atmospheric Environment, Megacities, Meteorology, Simulation, Monitoring
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Three instructors give lectures on different topics. At the end of each class, students will have to submit the summaries. These summaries will be used for evaluation.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Numerical Simulation of the Urban Atmosphere |
Understand the numerical simulation technology of the Urban Atmosphere |
| Class 2 | Monitoring of the Urban Atmosphere |
Understand the monitoring technology of the Urban Atmosphere |
| Class 3 | Mechanism of Global Warming |
Understand the mechanism of Global Warming |
| Class 4 | Mechanism of Heat Island |
Understand the mechanism of Heat Island |
| Class 5 | Mitigation of Heat Risk by Vegetations |
Understand how to mitigate heat risk using vegetations |
| Class 6 | Heat Risk due to Global and Urban Warming |
Understand the risks of global and urban warming in our daily life |
| Class 7 | Global and Urban Water Circulation |
Understand urban water circulation: how different from natural water circulation |
| Class 8 | Introduction of Global Urban Climatology |
Understand the background and necessity of Global Urban Climatology |
| Class 9 | Global Urban Climatology: Overview of Methods and Tools |
Understand the overview of methods and tools used in Global Urban Climatology |
| Class 10 | Global Urban Climatology: Numerical model implementation and requirements |
Understand the urban heat island condition and relevant factors in various megacities by using numerical model analyses (methodology). |
| Class 11 | Anthropogenic Heat Emission (AHE) |
Understand the definition of AHE, its estimation at global-scales, and how relevant its information for urban climate investigations. |
| Class 12 | Global Urban Climatology: AHE and Climate |
Using numerical modeling, we will see the effects of AHE on various cities. |
| Class 13 | Global Urban Climatology: Urban heat island of the largest cities |
Understand the urban heat island condition and relevant factors in various megacities by using numerical model analyses (focusing on results). |
| Class 14 | Cities and climate change |
Introduce current and new techniques for studying adaptation and local mitigation strategies of cities to climate change. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Communication for the second half will be conducted through T2Schola or email.
Textbook(s)
nothing
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Global Urban Climatology reference:
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjshwr/29/5/29_313/_article/-char/en
Evaluation methods and criteria
Report after class.
Related courses
- TSE.A315 ： Introduction to Meteorology
Prerequisites
Nothing
Other
Nothing