Seonjeongneung is a royal tomb from the Chosun dynasty located in Samseong-dong. (image: Republic of Korea/flickr)
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – Seonjeongneung, one of the green spaces in Seoul, has turned out to lower the temperature of the region by two degrees.
The results were derived from a National Institute of Meteorological Sciences study of temperatures at Seonjeongneung and the area nearby over the past two years.
Seonjeongneung is a royal tomb from the Chosun dynasty located in Samseong-dong.
When measuring the temperature on a summer afternoon (4 p.m.), the Seonjeongneung area recorded 27.8 degrees while the commercial districts nearby were 30.6 degrees. The difference in temperature was also observed during the night.
Experts explain that the difference in temperature results from concrete buildings absorbing solar energy during the day, and releasing it at night, keeping the temperatures high even after the sun has set. In addition, tall buildings that prevent winds from scattering the heat also contribute to the temperature difference.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) is conducting a concentrated observation on the climate of the metropolitan area for two weeks, from July 27 to August 9. The data will be used to analyze the ‘Heat Island’ phenomenon of urban areas. The KMA anticipates that the data could also be used to verify pollutant dispersion models and complicated air currents found in the city’s atmosphere.
By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
