Planning for heat-resilient educational precincts: Framework formulation, cooling infrastructure selection and walkable routes determination

Abstract

To create a heat-resilient education precinct, this study developed a framework for campus heat solutions to enhance the heat mitigation and adaptation capacity of campus stakeholders. The campus heat solution framework consists of preparation, mitigation and adaptation, thermal environment and comfort assessment, information-sharing platform, heat action plan, and post-assessment. An empirical study in Chongqing University, China based on field experiments, numerical simulations, and post-processing of outdoor thermal environments and comfort was conducted, to demonstrate the applicability of the framework in actual educational precincts. The results indicated the spatiotemporal variability of surface temperature and outdoor thermal comfort, exhibited the right time and proper cooling infrastructure selection, and identified the adaptive walkable paths. For instance, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) with sun exposure had a mean value of 46.8 °C and a maximum value of 51.4 °C at 14:00, while the mean UTCI of the tree, sunshade and pavilion were 8.1 °C, 9.3 °C and 10.6 °C lower than that of the full exposure means, respectively. Therefore, before 10:00 or after 18:00, choosing locations under trees, sunshades, or pavilions can ensure better thermal comfort at high temperatures. In comparison, from 10:00 to 13:00, it is essential to choose sunshades or pavilions, and from 13:00 to 18:00, it is preferable to choose only pavilions. Moreover, a suitable walkable path was determined based on cumulative heat stress. Overall, this study is expected to provide a reference for building healthy and comfortable educational precincts and enhance the understanding of heat resilience planning.