102
M. D. Setiawati et al.
pattern between emission from transportation and total emission (Appendix 3) and
UTCI (Fig. 6.3c) were comparable.
The heat stress index measured in this study by UTCI indicated two categories of
heat stress in Medan City: strong heat stress and very strong heat stress. For annual
average of UTCI, very strong heat stress was found (Fig. 6.5). Highest concentration
of UTCI was located in the central part of the city (Fig. 6.4) and UTCI distribution
denoted similar distribution to emission from land transportation (Appendix 3).
Considering the fact that in the past ten years the road traffic increased 1.7 fold,
(Statistical Agency 2015a, b) the area is yet expected to intensify the traffic level,
the potential contributor to the heat vulnerability in the future. In addition, the acceleration of heat is parallel with the decreased in vegetation coverage and increased
of built areas (Fig. 6.5). This is as indicated with a high LST within the central part
of Medan City, compared to its periphery (Fig. 6.6). Moreover, heat emission from
electricity consumption and gas and fuel engine combustion greatly contributed to
heating up of the micro-climate.
The high prevalence of respiratory and hypertension patients was consistent with
the high value of HVI (Figs. 6.7 and 6.8). Response to the heat vary on physiological
conditions therefore in this study socio-demographic variables such as age, illness,
poor prevalence, population density, and outdoor works were considered for heat
exposure and developing the vulnerability heat map. Klein Rosenthal et al. (2014)
found significant increase of mortality rate in high poverty areas of New York City,
especially among the elderly during extreme temperature days, due to poor housing
conditions without air-conditioning and altered land cover increasing high surface
temperatures. The similar trend was also found in Medan city where high number of
hypertension and respiratory patients were mainly located in the high vulnerable area
(HVI ≥ 0.7). In the study area, the hot weather event information was announced by
local BMKG through mass media but these heat-related risks have not been reported
yet either by Health Agency or Environmental Agency.
6.18 Recommendations
The assessment demonstrated that the higher vulnerability areas were located in
the downtown of Medan City (i.e., Medan Area, Medan Kota, Polonia, Medan
Perjuangan) which calls for increase of preparedness for the heat shocks. In addition, 90% of residential roof type in Medan was made of aluminum and asbestos
according to statistical data, worsening the indoor thermal conditions (Medan Statistical Agency 2018). In addition, Medan was also known as Kota Ruko (“city shop”)
where the largest lack of green space is in the city center. Thus, gradually promoting
new type of roofs or greening rooftops would be one of the solutions to cool the indoor
air temperature and to reduce heat island effects in the limited space. This initiative
is actually supported by the mayor decision No. 522.4/1553.X/IX 2013 regarding
the priority areas for the implementation of green rooftop. Furthermore, it was also
M. D. Setiawati et al.
pattern between emission from transportation and total emission (Appendix 3) and
UTCI (Fig. 6.3c) were comparable.
The heat stress index measured in this study by UTCI indicated two categories of
heat stress in Medan City: strong heat stress and very strong heat stress. For annual
average of UTCI, very strong heat stress was found (Fig. 6.5). Highest concentration
of UTCI was located in the central part of the city (Fig. 6.4) and UTCI distribution
denoted similar distribution to emission from land transportation (Appendix 3).
Considering the fact that in the past ten years the road traffic increased 1.7 fold,
(Statistical Agency 2015a, b) the area is yet expected to intensify the traffic level,
the potential contributor to the heat vulnerability in the future. In addition, the acceleration of heat is parallel with the decreased in vegetation coverage and increased
of built areas (Fig. 6.5). This is as indicated with a high LST within the central part
of Medan City, compared to its periphery (Fig. 6.6). Moreover, heat emission from
electricity consumption and gas and fuel engine combustion greatly contributed to
heating up of the micro-climate.
The high prevalence of respiratory and hypertension patients was consistent with
the high value of HVI (Figs. 6.7 and 6.8). Response to the heat vary on physiological
conditions therefore in this study socio-demographic variables such as age, illness,
poor prevalence, population density, and outdoor works were considered for heat
exposure and developing the vulnerability heat map. Klein Rosenthal et al. (2014)
found significant increase of mortality rate in high poverty areas of New York City,
especially among the elderly during extreme temperature days, due to poor housing
conditions without air-conditioning and altered land cover increasing high surface
temperatures. The similar trend was also found in Medan city where high number of
hypertension and respiratory patients were mainly located in the high vulnerable area
(HVI ≥ 0.7). In the study area, the hot weather event information was announced by
local BMKG through mass media but these heat-related risks have not been reported
yet either by Health Agency or Environmental Agency.
6.18 Recommendations
The assessment demonstrated that the higher vulnerability areas were located in
the downtown of Medan City (i.e., Medan Area, Medan Kota, Polonia, Medan
Perjuangan) which calls for increase of preparedness for the heat shocks. In addition, 90% of residential roof type in Medan was made of aluminum and asbestos
according to statistical data, worsening the indoor thermal conditions (Medan Statistical Agency 2018). In addition, Medan was also known as Kota Ruko (“city shop”)
where the largest lack of green space is in the city center. Thus, gradually promoting
new type of roofs or greening rooftops would be one of the solutions to cool the indoor
air temperature and to reduce heat island effects in the limited space. This initiative
is actually supported by the mayor decision No. 522.4/1553.X/IX 2013 regarding
the priority areas for the implementation of green rooftop. Furthermore, it was also