CLIMATIC AND AIR HYGIENE MAPS AS AIDS FOR PLANNING AND ZONING (EXAMPLE: CLIMATE ATLAS FEDERATION REGION STUTTGART)
5.2 Infrared Thermography

Infrared thermography provides one with a picture of the momentary temperature distribution on the earth"s surface at high powers of resolution, impossible to obtain with any stationary measurement network. From an airplane, the landscape is scanned line by line with the measuring photometer (with a ground resolution of about 10 m by 10 m at an altitude of 3,000 m).

The vivid expressions that infrared thermography produces are not unproblematic in every respect, since individual IR-heat images do not communicate definite findings on the multilayered problem of climate. The measured surface temperatures are above all not identical with the local air temperatures.

Nevertheless, infrared thermography provides indications of variations in temperature structures (e.g. heat islands, cold-air collection areas, cold-air drainage areas) caused by human settlement in an urban area. The execution of at least two flyovers (evening and morning) makes possible the generation of information about the cooling behavior of individual areas (Fig. 5/2, Fig. 5/2a, Fig. 5/3 and Fig. 5/3a). In addition, indications can be obtained regarding climatically preferential areas and local climate facts such as local air exchange processes, cold air blockage, and conflicts with existing uses. Strategies can also be developed for more in-depth measurements on the ground.

Such conclusions require, however, a realistic conception of the interaction of meteorological parameters in the air layer near the ground, knowledge of the local land conditions, and additional meteorological information.

The specified temperature color scale in an infrared picture corresponds to psychologically-perceived criteria (red = warm, blue = cold). Darker surfaces are open areas with low vegetation; strongly-cooling surfaces are depicted in black. Noticeable as warm examples are both waters and inner-city areas with their respective street structures.