We used to know this. Almost every road and housing development included parks, verges and trees, enough to influence the micro climate. Roads and rail often ha

We used to know this. Almost every road and housing development included parks, verges and trees, enough to influence the micro climate. Roads and rail often had more space for greenery than purpose. There used to be enough of the natural environment left that you still knew where you were. Parks were more arboretum and public garden than the lowest maintenance acres of grass they have tended to become today. Post war became concrete and optimisation of how many plots you could pack in. First things to go were anything green. The temperature difference between the two approaches is easily noticeable. UK railways and towns are still reducing the amount of trees - mainly to eliminate the need to send some contractors out occasionally to tend to trees and bushes. It's yet another case of humanity sawing the branch they're sitting on for $2 more. The silliest part is the older developments, even former public social housing, are now often the valuable areas as they are nicer to live in.