Urban performance based on biometeorology index in high-density, hot, and humid cities

Abstract

• The correlation between high density and urban performance based on biometeorology index for eight metropolitan cities in Indonesia is introduced. • The need to re-evaluate spatial planning in Indonesia, especially cities with high BCR is the urgency to achieve a preferred urban biometeorology. • Reducing BCR especially in dense area to promote 30% open space by increase the value of FAR. • The results show potential improving urban biometeorology by promote FAR to increase urban ventilation. This article aims to discuss urban performance based on the biometeorology of eight dense cities in Indonesia (i.e., Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Padang, Pontianak, Banjarmasin, Makassar, and Denpasar). The interconnection between urban morphology and human biometeorology provides an understanding of meteorological vulnerability and thermo–physiological aspects, which is expressed as the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). The hourly meteorological data from eight cities’ weather stations was collected from 2009 to 2019. The building density is later defined as the building coverage ratio (BCR) and is divided by a low BCR, which is less than 70%, and a high BCR, which is more than 70%. The BCR is then correlated with the meteorology variables, Ta max, RH, and v, to calculate its impact on the PET. The increase of Ta max in cities, both for low BCRs ( r = 0.76) and high BCRs ( r = 0.54), is found to have a significant correlation with an increase in PET. Meanwhile, increasing the value of v for both low BCRs ( r = -0.67) and high BCRs ( r = -0.65) decreases PET . However, modifying the value of the PET for cities with a high BCR is more complicated. The microclimate within the building layout must be manipulated to increase the value of v . A humid condition for a high BCR is beneficial to reduce the PET.