I agree with what Ms. Povey said but take it further. Particularly in cities, "greening" exteriors should be incentivized.

I've written often about how over the last 10 years my wife and I have dropped the ambient temperature in our yard (we have a 2 story flat with a yard) in the middle of Vienna by planting climbing plants, hedges, etc. to absorb heat during the day. The difference is felt all day and then massively at night as there are not huge wood and stone heat sinks radiating the absorbed heat from the day for many hours into the evening and night.

We are working with the local building authorities to add some low wattage mechanical circulation to increase natual convection cooling. Meaning we will push hot air out at the top/hot parts of our flat and draw in cooler air from lower down. No A/C meaning far lower electrical costs, emissions and noise (the latter two are regulated here in Vienna).

Finally we are working with a German firm and the local building authorities on adding solar verandas and replacing our upstairs terrace railing with a solar railing. Not only with this increase shading (thus decreasing ambient temps even more), but we can power our household with the energy we produce.