Current research and future challenges in urban mesoscale modelling

Increases in environmental problems linked to urbanization and increases in computational power are proposed as the main mechanisms behind positive feedbacks between experimental investigation and numerical modelling in mesoscale urban studies. The focus here is on the modelling, with a description of state-of-the-art techniques used to parameterize urban-induced dynamical and thermal effects in mesoscale models. An analysis of possible future developments in urban mesoscale modelling is presented. Emphasis is laid on the link between mesoscale and microscale models, increases in numerical resolution, and improvement in anthropogenic heat flux estimation. Copyright (c) 2007 Royal Meteorological Society.