The Influence of Trees and Water Features on Human Health and Thermal Comfort in Hot Arid Climate at The Microclimate Level

Abstract

The primary objective of the study is to determine if plants and water can lower particulate matter (PM) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in microclimates while simultaneously enhancing user thermal comfort. There are several implications of urban air pollution on human health, ranging from eye discomfort to fatality. The previous studies investigated the human thermal comfort in term of temperature and humidity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate thermal comfort and air pollution in two microclimates of a Tucson, Arizona college building. The trees and water features have increased the relative humidity by 110 percent over baseline levels. Consequently, the temperature fell by 19%. This significant microclimate improvement will put the majority of outdoor areas inside the thermal comfort zone for humans. The trees and water had a considerable influence on PM levels, decreasing PM2.5 by 50 percent and PM10 by 55 percent. In this research, however, the C3 type Calvin cycle caused a 4.8% increase in CO2. The trees may lower CO2 in other senior with a higher CO2 content, hence decreasing the possibility that the C3 cycle will be initiated. The ability to minimize air pollutants while simultaneously enhancing temperature conditions would result in a microclimate that is conducive to a variety of activities.