Thermal and Humidity Effect of Urban Green Spaces with Different Shapes: A Case Study of Shanghai, China

Hongyu Du, Fengqi Zhou, Wenbo Cai, Yongli Cai and Yanqing Xu
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Hongyu Du: Institute of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, No.7, Lane 622, Huaihaizhong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200020, China
Fengqi Zhou: Institute of Ecology and Sustainable Development, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, No.7, Lane 622, Huaihaizhong Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai 200020, China
Wenbo Cai: Research Center for Eco-Environment Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shuangqing Rd. 18, Beijing 100085, China
Yongli Cai: School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No. 800, Dongchuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
Yanqing Xu: Department of Geography & Planning, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Research shows that urban green spaces (UGSs) provide a number of positive effects, including enhancing human thermal comfort levels by decreasing air temperature (AT) and increasing relative humidity (RH). However, research on how the shape of an UGS influences these effects is yet to be explored. This paper explores the principles and features behind this. The AT and RH surrounding an UGS within a horizontal scale of 20 m was explored. Microclimate field measurements around 35 UGSs in Shanghai, China were carried out. The samples covered the most applied types of UGSs—punctiform, linear, and planar. Comparison spots were selected away from the sampled UGSs. The effects were studied by data collection and statistical analysis. The results indicate that the shape of the UGS had significant impact on the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). In the summer, the amplitude of THI variation decreases with the distance to UGS. For punctiform UGS, a larger total area and existence of water body results in a lower THI. A wider, linear UGS with the same orientation as the direction of the prevailing wind contributes more to decrease the surrounding THI. The total area of planar UGS is not critical. A higher landscape shape index of a planar UGS is the critical point to achieve a lower THI. The results can serve as a reference when planning and designing future UGSs.

Keywords: urban green space; human thermal comfort; shape; temperature and humidity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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