Assessing the role of vegetation in enhancing infrastructure heat resilience : case study: the marketplace of Iitti

The subject of the thesis was the identification of eligible plant species with regard to heat resistance for the marketplace of Iitti, Finland. The thesis was conducted as a part of the Steps to prepare for climate change -project and aimed to explore the possibilities of utilizing vegetation as a means to mitigate the effects of climate change. The main objective was to identify which plant species are suitable for the location in question and can provide shade to paved surfaces while also withstanding extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, heavy rain, and storms. To achieve this goal, the research involved a literature review of the urban heat island (UHI) effect and predicted growth zone changes. Also, a dialogue with the municipality of Iitti, on-site observations, and a semi-instructed interview with an expert in the field were conducted. The results of the thesis can aid in the creation of adaptation plans for other municipalities in southern Finland in the near future that will be dealing with similar climate-related issues