Advances in Meteorology · 2018 · 94 citations · 21 references
ArchitectureLandscape ArchitectureUrban PlanningClimate-responsive DesignLandscape PlanningThermal ComfortHeat Island MitigationMicroclimate AnalysisMicroclimate DesignUrban Landscape DesignUrban MicroclimateUrban Microclimate SimulationHeat Stress MitigationHigh-albedo MaterialsMicroclimate ModelingUrban Cooling StrategiesUrban Heat MitigationUrban Heat StressUrban Microclimate ModelingUrban Thermal Comfort
Climate‑responsive landscape design can improve urban microclimate and human comfort. The study quantitatively examines how pavement, greenery, and water bodies affect urban microclimate and thermal comfort in Singapore’s high‑rise residential area. Field measurements calibrated ENVI‑met 4.0, which was then used to simulate seven landscape scenarios and evaluate their impact on physiologically equivalent temperature. The simulations show a maximum PET reduction of about 12 °C, with high‑albedo pavement and water bodies ineffective, while shade trees over grass provide the greatest cooling benefit, offering designers actionable strategies to mitigate heat stress.
A climate-responsive landscape design can create a more livable urban microclimate with adequate human comfortability. This paper aims to quantitatively investigate the effects of landscape design elements of pavement materials, greenery, and water bodies on urban microclimate and thermal comfort in a high-rise residential area in the tropic climate of Singapore. A comprehensive field measurement is undertaken to obtain real data on microclimate parameters for calibration of the microclimate-modeling software ENVI-met 4.0. With the calibrated ENVI-met, seven urban landscape scenarios are simulated and their effects on thermal comfort as measured by physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) are evaluated. It is found that the maximum improvement of PET reduction with suggested landscape designs is about 12 ° C, and high-albedo pavement materials and water bodies are not effective in reducing heat stress in hot and humid climate conditions. The combination of shade trees over grass is the most effective landscape strategy for cooling the microclimate. The findings from the paper can equip urban designers with knowledge and techniques to mitigate urban heat stress.
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