Cooling strategies for thermal comfort in cities: a review of key methods in landscape design

Abstract

Under the climate change scenario, the negative impacts of urban heat island (UHI) will exacerbate due to unsustainable urban planning and human activities. Thermal comfort has close relationships with UHI in urban areas. This paper is based on the studies of urban heat island, thermal comfort, microclimate and urban planning in cities in the recent decade, combined with cross-analysis research method. The key topics include vegetation and water conditions, the albedo of materials, urban morphology and more. By the comparative case studies in landscape projects, the results further reveal that the density of tree canopies, the natural structure and density of ground cover, the form of water features, the colour and texture of materials, and the scale of shading structures have different cooling effect and performance in outdoor thermal comfort improvement with speci c features in the landscape design. It is also found that there are some external conditions that can in uence design determinations in real practices. The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical research methods and evaluation of thermal comfort landscape design elements, and to provide guidance for future sustainable city research and landscape design.

Resident Effect Perception in Urban Spaces to Inform Urban Design Strategies

“…While fundamental design methodologies based on designers' experience are essential for meeting functional requirements, upholding ecological bottom lines, and satisfying users' aesthetic needs, there is a dearth of research on design methods for multi-objective urban scenario intelligent design evaluation. Despite numerous articles [42][43][44][45][46][47] that offer experimental methods, research approaches, and perspectives to facilitate the urban landscape spatial design process, there is a lack of intelligent design evaluation model frameworks that quantitatively analyze residents' emotions through on-site research. This research seeks to address this gap in inquiry and systematically describe the inherent methods and logic necessary to construct an urban scenario intelligent design evaluation model.…”

Traditional Passive Design Solutions as a Key Factor for Sustainable Modern Urban Designs in the Hot, Arid Climate of the United Arab Emirates

“…According to Dou [25], the increased heat stress brought about by the rise in global temperatures can be reduced by expanding vegetation cover and enhancing shade through changes in urban planning. Moreover, Zou and Zhang [26] observe that the passive natural cooling effects contributing to outdoor thermal comfort depend on the tree coverage, the natural formation and density of grasses, the types of water elements, the textures and colors of materials, and the extent of shading systems. These traditional solutions are, according to Chi and Mak [27], a key factor for creating "livable cities", fostering health and wellbeing, adapting to climate changes, and establishing a peaceful environment for human habitation.…”

Influence of landscape interventions on thermal comfort under time-varying building shadow; new Gwanghwamun square case, Seoul, South Korea

“…When considering availability, human-scale impact, and project budget, the landscape design intervention can have a much more direct and immediate influence than built structure. Engaging urban green infrastructure (i.e., trees, herbs, green-roofs, vertical greenings, and water bodies) suggest a sustainable solution to urban heat discomfort[ [3] , [4] , [5] ]. In particular, strategic landscape design utilizing GI, if it is planned properly, can be a good measure to control the outdoor microclimate and enhance thermal comfort, therefore, study results should be well-interpreted and the information needs to be available for landscape architects to fully utilize those in planning and design process [ [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] ].…”