Paper Conference
Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2010: 4th conference of IBPSA-USA
 
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Optimizing the Effect of Vegetation for Pedestrian Thermal Comfort and Urban Heat Island Mitigation in a Hot Arid Urban Environment
Akram Rosheidat, Harvey BryanSchool of Architecture + Landscape Architecture, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ, USAAbstract: Rapid urbanization in Phoenix, Arizona has increased the nighttime temperature by 5°C, and the average daily temperatures by 3.1°C. The energy balance of
urban surface paving materials is the main contributor
to the phenomenon of the Urban Heat Island effect
(UHI). Much of the literature dealing with mitigating
UHI effects recommends extensive tree planting as the
chief strategy for reducing the UHI. However, while
the extensive tree canopy is beneficial in providing
daytime shade for pedestrians, it may reduce the
pavement surfaces’ sky-view factor during the night,
thereby reducing the rate of nighttime radiation to the
sky. From a UHI mitigation perspective, it may be
more beneficial to use low height vegetation that does
not reduce the sky view factor as large shade trees
would, increasing the urban surfaces’ nighttime
radiation potential. This paper proposes to use field
data and simulation scenarios to optimize the use of
vegetation for both improving daytime pedestrian
thermal comfort as well as enhancing nighttime
radiation. The CFD microscale and mesoscale urban
scenarios simulation results can potentially give urban
planners and architects insights on improving their
recommendations for implementing landscape design
strategies for optimal effect on both the pedestrian
scale and larger urban forms. Pages: 230 - 237 Paper:simbuild2010_TS05A-01-Rosheidat