With summer heat often exceeding 40°C and a population surpassing 1.45 million, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, faces up to a 2.5°C increase in temperature by 2050. As is the case in most cities, domestic and industrial activities utilise energy to function, generating heat as well as other kinds of pollution. In addition, the high density of large buildings with absorbing surfaces traps and stores heat energy within city streets. Typically, heat stress is addressed using air conditioning to cool indoor spaces. However, air conditioning is extremely energy demanding and cools indoor air by pumping warm air outside thus further exacerbating the problem.