From Oasis to Desert: The Struggle of Urban Green Spaces Amid Heatwaves and Water Scarcity

Lennart Scharfstädt, Peer Schöneberger, Helge Simon, Tim Sinsel (), Tim Nahtz and Michael Bruse
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Lennart Scharfstädt: Environmental Management and Urban Planning in Metropolitan Areas, Hochschule RheinMain, 65022 Wiesbaden, Germany
Peer Schöneberger: Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
Helge Simon: Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
Tim Sinsel: Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
Tim Nahtz: Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
Michael Bruse: Department of Geography, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: In the summer of 2022, an intense heatwave swept through Northern Europe, with London bearing a significant impact. While nature-based solutions are often considered to be ideal responses to such heatwaves, experiences from the 2022 heatwave and others revealed potential drawbacks, particularly for urban green spaces. Prolonged dry spells, frequently accompanying heatwaves, result in excessively dry soil and the subsequent decline of vegetation in large parks. In the present study, microclimate simulations were conducted for Hyde Park in London, a location that experienced such drought during the 2022 heatwave, to examine its microclimatic performance in terms of thermal comfort and tree health. In alignment with the observations, ENVI-met could replicate the lack of noticeable cooling effects during the daytime and only marginal cooling during the nighttime. To address these challenges, mitigation scenarios were explored, incorporating heat mitigation measures such as part-time irrigation, temporary sun sails, and façade greenery. The findings demonstrated that implementing these measures could reduce heat stress by up to 13 K PET (physiologically equivalent temperature). These practical solutions emerged as effective remedies for mitigating the impact of heatwaves on urban green spaces and, hence, improving future urban development overall.

Keywords: ENVI-met; heat stress; thermal comfort; plant health; UHI; PET; shading; trees; drought (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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