02/09/2026
New Research Shows Canals Cool Down Urban Areas During Heatwaves
New research from the University of Manchester indcates that canals in Britain and Ireland can cool city neighbourhoods for up to 50 metres from their banks, helping to combat urban heating, especially during heatwaves. The study found that canals cool their immediate surroundings during the day, typically extending 20–50 metres from the canal banks. Researchers noted that this cooling effect was at its greatest during the spring and early summer periods (c. −1.2°C to −1.4°C), and was particularly pronounced during heatwaves (June to August), with cooling of more than 2°C. The data also indicated that urban canals warmed their surroundings at night, but this effect was much smaller (c....
New research from the University of Manchester indcates that canals in Britain and Ireland can cool city neighbourhoods for up to 50 metres from their banks, helping to combat urban heating, especi…
