China high-rises install rooftop mist systems to reduce heat

High-rise apartment buildings in Yuncheng, a city in northern China's Shanxi Province, have introduced rooftop misting systems aimed at reducing temperatures during periods of intense summer heat, as urban areas seek practical measures to adapt to rising temperatures.

The systems have recently attracted international attention through widely shared social media videos showing mist descending from building rooftops and cooling streets and pedestrian areas below, reports India Today.

The technology operates using evaporative cooling, a process in which high-pressure nozzles installed on rooftops release fine water droplets into the air. The droplets evaporate rapidly, absorbing heat from the surrounding air and reducing local temperatures.

According to information on the project, the system can reduce local air and surface temperatures by between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius within minutes during heatwaves reaching 38 degrees Celsius.

Supporters of the approach say it requires less electricity than conventional air conditioning systems because it primarily relies on water, pumps and nozzles. The fine droplets are also designed to evaporate before reaching the ground, reducing the likelihood of wet roads or inconvenience for pedestrians.

The adoption of such systems comes as cities face increasingly frequent and prolonged heatwaves associated with climate change, alongside the effects of urban heat islands, where concrete surfaces and dense infrastructure retain heat and raise temperatures in built-up areas.

Misting systems are already commonly used in China in public spaces, including parks, public squares and bus stops. Their expansion into residential high-rise buildings reflects broader efforts to improve living conditions as temperatures rise.

Some experts have raised concerns over water consumption, particularly in regions experiencing water shortages. Supporters, however, argue that the rapid evaporation of the fine mist helps limit overall water use.

The project in Shanxi reflects a broader effort in urban areas worldwide to identify energy-efficient methods of reducing heat exposure and adapting to a warming climate.