Advancing Urban Microclimate Monitoring: The Development of an Environmental Data Measurement Station Using a Low-Tech Approach

Alexandre Lefevre (), Bruno Malet-Damour, Harry Boyer and Garry Rivière
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Alexandre Lefevre: PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 120 Avenue Raymond BARRE, 97410 Saint Pierre, France
Bruno Malet-Damour: PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 120 Avenue Raymond BARRE, 97410 Saint Pierre, France
Harry Boyer: PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 120 Avenue Raymond BARRE, 97410 Saint Pierre, France
Garry Rivière: PIMENT Laboratory, University of Reunion Island, 120 Avenue Raymond BARRE, 97410 Saint Pierre, France

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: Researchers studying urban climates aim to understand phenomena like urban heat islands (UHIs), which describe temperature differences between urban and rural areas. However, studies often lack numerous measurement points and frequently overlook parameters like radiation and air velocity due to the high cost of precision instrumentation. This results in data with a low resolution, particularly in tropical cities where official weather stations are scarce. This research introduces a new, low-tech tool for district-level outdoor thermal comfort assessment and UHI characterization to address these challenges. The automated weather station employs sensors to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and globe temperature. The paper details these sensors’ rigorous selection and validation process, followed by a description of the sensor assembly, data acquisition chain, and network operation mechanisms. Calibration outcomes in laboratory and in situ environments highlight the station’s reliability, even in tropical conditions. In conclusion, this weather station offers a cost-effective solution to gathering high-resolution data in urban areas, enabling an improved understanding of the UHI phenomenon and the refinement of urban microclimate numerical models.

Keywords: microclimate monitoring; low-cost; sensor network; urban heat island; outdoor thermal comfort (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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