Enhancing Urban Microclimates: Potential Benefits of Greenery Strategies in a Semi-Arid Environment

Mohamed Brahimi, Moussadek Benabbas, Hasim Altan, Francesco Nocera and Vincenzo Costanzo ()
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Mohamed Brahimi: Department of Architecture, University of Chlef, Chlef 02000, Algeria
Moussadek Benabbas: Laboratory for the Design and Modeling of Architectural and Urban Forms and Ambiances, Department of Architecture, University of Biskra, Biskra 07000, Algeria
Hasim Altan: College of Architecture and Design (COAD), Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University—PMU, Dhahran 34754, Saudi Arabia
Francesco Nocera: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Vincenzo Costanzo: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-22

Abstract: The emergence of sustainable development gives greenery an important role in urban planning, namely, by recognizing its environmental potential. However, the rapid urbanization that most cities have experienced in the absence of a sustainable urban policy has led to the establishment of urban realms dominated by manmade constructions. This research aims to evaluate the greening’s effect on the urban climate within the semi-arid city of Djelfa (Algeria) during summertime by assigning the most appropriate greenery strategy to ensure optimal thermal conditions. Using a numerical model built with the ENVI-met tool and validated through measurements in situ, four different scenarios are simulated, starting with the existing area and then changing the greenery strategies. The outputs include meteorological parameters and thermal comfort indices (PET and UTCI). The results show that the green area generates a cool island within the urban fabric, with the peak daytime air temperature being reduced by about 4.75 °C. Vegetation densification in the urban space has a higher cooling performance than greening buildings during the daytime. In the evening, the canopy effect of trees is lower and the wind velocity is reduced, which is the main driver in cooling the city at nighttime.

Keywords: greening; urban microclimate; outdoor thermal comfort; ENVI-met; building greening; green wall; green roof (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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