Eco-Efficiency of Green Infrastructure on Thermal Comfort of Outdoor Space Design

Kongkoon Tochaiwat, Non Phichetkunbodee, Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn, Damrongsak Rinchumphu (), Sarote Tepweerakun, Thidarat Kridakorn Na Ayutthaya and Prattakorn Sittisom
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Kongkoon Tochaiwat: Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand
Non Phichetkunbodee: City Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Pongsakorn Suppakittpaisarn: Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Damrongsak Rinchumphu: Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Sarote Tepweerakun: City Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Thidarat Kridakorn Na Ayutthaya: City Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Prattakorn Sittisom: Faculty of Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Trees and shrubs, as a part of the green infrastructure, are important for the well-being of urban dwellers. This research aims to study the eco-efficiency of trees on outdoor thermal comfort, defined by the ratio of the change in the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and the trees’ cost. Field data were collected and compared with station data to calibrate and create a base case model. After the base case model was created, the researchers created case scenarios with shrubs and trees occupying 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the space. The cost estimate was calculated by the price quotes from local providers. The results suggested that (1) trees and shrubs were confirmed to positively improve thermal comfort, especially in the late afternoon when it is the most uncomfortable, (2) adding more trees to the study site could increase the eco-efficiency values more than shrubs in all cases, and (3) adding trees at 50% coverage gave the highest eco-efficiency compared to the other options. The results of this exploratory study will provide an alternative design approach that helps in decision-making for outdoor spaces. Future studies should address plant selections and other ecosystem benefits that may affect the eco-efficiency calculation.

Keywords: outdoor thermal comfort; eco-efficiency; physiological equivalent temperature; trees; green infrastructures (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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