Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Bouthaina Sayad (), Mansour Rifaat Helmi, Oumr Adnan Osra, Ahmad Mohammed Abed and Haytham Hussain Alhubashi
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Bouthaina Sayad: Department of Architecture, Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, Saad Dahlab University—Blida 1 (SDUB), Blida 9000, Algeria
Mansour Rifaat Helmi: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Oumr Adnan Osra: Department of Islamic Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Mohammed Abed: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Haytham Hussain Alhubashi: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 2, 1-29

Abstract: Cities are facing significant challenges related to climate change, particularly due to the increasing impact of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. The present study investigated the UHI phenomenon at the microscale in Annaba, Algeria. The research involved a multi-step approach, starting with on-site measurements of urban microclimate parameters, performed in downtown Annaba on 6 July 2023. The UHI intensity was quantified by comparing city-measured temperatures with rural surroundings. Thermal imaging is then used to empirically identify the contributing factors to UHI initiation at the microscale. The study employed the ENVI-met model to analyse mitigation strategies, manipulating parameters for six scenarios including the current design of the study area. Outputs were used to assess the impact of these strategies on air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The findings revealed an intense UHI effect in Annaba city with a peak difference of 6.9 °C, with practical implications for buildings, ground and roads, vehicles, air conditioners, and specific facade materials. Introducing urban vegetation, particularly urban trees and green roofs, proved highly effectiveness in mitigating the UHI in downtown Annaba. Urban trees demonstrated the most substantial impact, reducing temperatures by 1.9 °C at 1 p.m., while green roof temperature reductions ranged from 0.1 °C to 2 °C.

Keywords: urban heat island; urban microclimate; UHI intensity; thermal imaging; UHI initiation; ENVI-met model; mitigation strategies; downtown Annaba (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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