ANALYSIS OF THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND USING MICROCLIMATE SIMULATION FOR URBAN QUARTER

Abstract

This study demonstrates that the development of green infrastructure is an important task in the formation of ur-ban planning strategies to reduce the effect of the urban heat island and improve the ecosystem of the city. Simulation is an effective method for studying the complex mechanisms of urban climate formation at the stage of urban planning. The purpose of this study is to assess the severity of the urban heat island in relation to the quarter, taking into ac-count various scenarios of its landscaping, using modern simulation tools. Based on modeling in the ENVI-met soft-ware and computing complex of the thermal conditions of the quarter on the hottest days, its high thermal heterogenei-ty was established. The maximum temperature values are noted in roads and soils, the minimum – in green areas. The temperature conditions of the quarter changes over time. Exceeding the average temperature of the urban quarter ter-ritory over the average temperature in green areas means the possibility of forming an urban heat island. The calcula-tion established that most of the quarter is located in the urban heat island zone. This is also confirmed by an increase in air temperature in an urbanized area. Recommendations are given to mitigate the urban heat island. Based on the results of the thermal simulation of the quarter, it was established that the most effective solution compared to the orig-inal model is an increase in the area of lawn grass and shrubs by 10%, an increase in the area of trees by 12% and a decrease in asphalt pavements of paths and sites by 5.7%. Such a solution maximizes the mitigation of the urban heat island and provides a high level of comfort for the urban environment. Further research will focus on the development of a multi-factor correlation-regression model to assess the mitigation effect of urban heat islands by means of improv-ing green infrastructure.