This paper presents the results of a comparative study aiming to investigate the suitability of materials used in outdoor urban spaces in order to contribute to lower ambient temperatures and fight heat island effect. The study involved in total 93 commonly used pavement materials outdoors and was performed during the whole summer period of 2001. The thermal performance of the materials was measured in detail using mainly infrared thermography procedures.

The collected data have been extensively analysed using statistical techniques. Comparative studies have been performed in order to identify the major advantages and disadvantages of the materials studied. Materials have been classified according to their thermal performance and physical properties into `cool’ and `warm’ materials. The impact of color, surface roughness and sizing has been analysed as well.

The study can contribute to selection of more appropriate materials for outdoor urban applications, and thus assist to fight the heat island effect, decrease the electricity consumption of buildings and improve outdoor thermal comfort conditions.