Effects of climates and physical variables of parks on the radius and intensity of cooling of the surrounding settlements

Abstract

The effects of different climates and physical variables of parks on the radius and intensity of the cooling of the surrounding environment of Khorasan-Razavi settlements in Iran were investigated by determining the climates of selected cities (Mashhad, Sabzevar, Neyshabur, and Quchan) based on the Litinsky model. Earth surface temperature was calculated using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), proportional vegetation (Pv), and emissivity (ԑ). According to the NDVI maps, vegetation was classified into three classes. Short vegetation (grass and bush) does not significantly affect cooling the surrounding environment compared to tree cover. Cities with dense tree vegetation (Mashhad and Neyshabur) are 3.7 and 1.53 °C cooler than the surrounding environment, respectively. Tree heights, the sun's angle to the surface, and the shading of tree cover are important factors that control the surface temperature. The climatic diversity of the studied cities in connection with the spatial fluctuations of the temperature has led to the creation of three different climates in the cities. The radius and intensity of cooling of the green infrastructure on the neighborhood scale (parks) revealed that park area, tree cover, location, and climate are very effective on reducing the thermal load of the microclimates of the studied cities.