White roof is better for the environment?

White roof is environment friendly, according to some scientists.

Inverse: THE SCIENTIFIC REASON WHY A WHITE ROOF IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

The reason is that white is reflecting color. Some studies suggest that cities composed of many white-roofed houses are less likely to be hit by the heat island phenomenon.

This result is a little surprising. But we often experience that wearing a black jacket makes us feeling warm. It is for the heat keeping effect of black color, not only for the clothes itself. Considering that, a white city may be cool.

In real, some city governments regulate the color of roof and wall of the houses mainly to maintain the harmonious landscape. In Japan, there are few cities with such legislation. But at some areas in Kyoto, some colors destroying the atmosphere of the town are prohibited. Convenience stores in such regions decorate their wall with specific color, different from usual ones of the franchise.

In the near future, white color painting will be mandated for new housing, perhaps for mitigating global warming.