Abstract
Increasing the number of street trees can be a promising method to reduce impacts of climate change currently impacting urban public health. However, the quantitative relationships between tree canopy cover and thermal comfort remains unclear, particularly in areas with high temperature and high humidity. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the effects of different degrees of tree canopy cover on human thermal comfort in shallow street canyons in a high temperature, high humidity area of China. Microclimatic measurements and qualitative surveys were conducted on sunny summer days in a shallow street canyon in Wuhan. The results suggest that microclimate benefits are greater for areas with a high-percentage tree canopy cover compared to medium- and low-percentage tree canopy cover—especially at noon. In streets with a high-percentage tree canopy cover, afternoon air temperatures and mean radiant temperatures can be reduced by up to 3.3 °C and 13.9 °C, respectively, compared to a similar street with no tree shade. The thermal sensation prediction formula is proposed and the relationship between human thermal sensation and microclimate factors is established. Blocking solar radiation and increasing wind speed are more feasible than controlling air temperature and humidity as ways to improve human thermal comfort.
Highlights
In the context of global warming and rapid urbanization, the thermal comfort of cities has become important
This study presents the findings of a human thermal comfort study conducted in Wuhan using
This study presents the of adifferent human thermal comfort study cover
Summary
In the context of global warming and rapid urbanization, the thermal comfort of cities has become important. Severe heat has a negative impact on public health and greatly reduces the use of outdoor spaces and activities that can be undertaken [1,2]. Knez and Thorsson [3]. Demonstrated that when the level of thermal comfort is within an acceptable range, people tend to stay outdoors for a longer period of time (average 19–21 min). When thermal comfort exceeds the optimal range, people stay outdoors for a short time (average 11 min). Good thermal comfort helps to improve the vitality of a street and has become an important indicator of its walking potential. It is increasingly important to consider thermal comfort in street design
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