The Impact of Small-Scale Greening on the Local Microclimate—A Case Study at Two School Buildings in Vienna

Florian Teichmann (), Andras Horvath (), Markus Luisser and Azra Korjenic
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Florian Teichmann: Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, TU Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria
Andras Horvath: Rheologic GmbH, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Markus Luisser: Rheologic GmbH, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Azra Korjenic: Institute of Material Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology, TU Wien, 1040 Vienna, Austria

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-30

Abstract: Strategies to mitigate urban heat islands are a recent issue in the Austrian capital, Vienna. In this study, the uhiSolver-v2106-0.21 software was used to evaluate the summer cooling effects and humidity production of small-scale facade greening and a green pergola located in two schools within the city. Based on on-site measurement data, the study revealed that small-scale greening measures are not able to substantially reduce ambient air temperature. On a hot summer day, at 3 p.m. local time (CEST), the maximum decrease amounted to 0.3 °C at 0.1 m from the facade greening as well as inside the green pergola. As for the apparent (perceived) temperature, a reduction of up to 4 °C was observed under the green pergola compared to the unshaded roof terrace. Hence, the simulation results show that, within urban areas, a significant improvement of thermal comfort in summer can only be achieved through large-scale greenery that provides shade for pedestrians.

Keywords: building greenery; living walls; urban heat island (UHI) mitigation; urban microclimate; CFD simulation; apparent temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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