The article discusses the development of self-cooling artificial grass for sports pitches, which can help cities manage extreme weather conditions.

The artificial grass stores water underneath the surface and uses it to cool itself through evaporation, similar to natural grass.

This innovative turf has been implemented in cities like Amsterdam, London, and Kobe in Japan. The system mimics the natural cooling properties of real grass by allowing water to evaporate, thus keeping the surface cooler.

Artificial turf fields are popular in many cities and sports facilities due to their durability. However, these surfaces can become excessively hot, reaching temperatures of around 70°C (158°F), posing risks to athletes and contributing to urban heat. As a solution, researchers have developed a system inspired by "blue-green roofs," using stored rainwater for cooling effects.

To test the effectiveness, toy-sized models of sports fields were created in a climate-controlled laboratory. These models included water storage units and a shock pad embedded with narrow irrigation cylinders beneath the surface.