Study on the Microclimatic Effects of Plant-Enclosure Conditions and Water–Green Space Ratio on Urban Waterfront Spaces in Summer

Han Xu, Guorui Zheng, Xinya Lin and Yunfeng Jin ()
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Han Xu: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Guorui Zheng: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 35002, China
Xinya Lin: Longyan Agricultural School, Longyan 364000, China
Yunfeng Jin: Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: In the context of waterfront-space design, this study examines the impact of plant enclosures and the ratio of water bodies to green spaces on the microclimate, aiming to enhance the climate environment and mitigate urban heat. Utilizing Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University as a case study, the research selects the summer solstice as a representative weather condition, conducts field measurements and model validation for four types of waterfront vegetation, and creates 80 scenarios with varying plant enclosures and water to green space ratios using ENVI-met 5.0.2software. This comprehensive analysis seeks to identify the optimal water–green space ratio for waterfront areas. Key findings include: (1) The efficacy and applicability of ENVI-met software for microclimate studies are confirmed. (2) Waterfront plants have cooling and humidifying effects on the microclimate environment. The order of cooling and humidifying effects of different plant community structures was as follows: tree–shrub–grass > tree–grass > shrub–grass > grass. (3) The cooling, humidification, ventilation, and human comfort levels are influenced by the specific enclosure conditions and water to green space ratios; a ratio of 1.8:1 is the most effective for cooling and improving human comfort, while ratios of 4:1 and 1:4 are better for humidification and ventilation. These results offer valuable insights for designing waterfront spaces in hot and humid climates.

Keywords: summer; plants; enclosure conditions; water body–green space ratio; urban waterfront space; microclimate effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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