journal article Open Access Feb 08, 2025

Microclimate Performance Analysis of Urban Vegetation: Evidence from Hot Humid Middle Eastern Cities

Plants Vol. 14 No. 4 pp. 521 · MDPI AG
View at Publisher Save 10.3390/plants14040521
Abstract
Urban heat islands (UHIs) pose a growing challenge in rapidly urbanizing areas, necessitating effective mitigation strategies to enhance environmental sustainability and human well-being. This study examined the role of vegetation in regulating urban microclimates, focusing on its ability to mitigate the effects of UHIs, promote thermal comfort, and enhance urban esthetics. The study drew on existing research that employed spatial analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore the relationship between vegetation metrics and reductions in surface temperature. Municipal initiatives in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, including tree-planting programs and street humanization projects, aimed to improve urban esthetics and pedestrian experiences. Although these efforts enhanced urban livability, they lacked a comprehensive ecological perspective, emphasizing the need for strategies that integrate thermal comfort, environmental resilience, and broader sustainability goals. The analysis demonstrated the societal and environmental benefits of tree-planting activities and linked urban vegetation plans to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results highlighted the importance of incorporating green infrastructure in urban development to mitigate the effects of UHIs, improve air quality, and enhance overall urban livability. This paper proposed a framework for sustainable urban design, offering practical insights for policymakers and urban planners working to create resilient, environmentally conscious communities in extreme climates.
Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References
97
[1]
Dissanayake, C., Weerasinghe, U., and Wijesundara, K. (2021, January 18). Urban Vegetation and Morphology Parameters Affecting Microclimate and Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Warm Humid Cities—A Review of Research in the Past Decade. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Climate Change, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
[2]
(2023). Al-Riyadh Newspaper “Dar & Emaar” Contributes to Supporting the “Green Riyadh” Initiative, Al Yamamah Press Foundation.
[3]
(2023, October 27). Al-Riyadh Newspaper 20 Million Riyals Were Allocated to Plant Trees in the “Saraya al-Narjis” Community. Available online: https://darwaemaar.com/.
[4]
Olanrewaju "The Climate Effect of Urbanization in A City of Developing Country: The Case Study Of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria" Ethiop. J. Environ. Stud. Manag. (2009) 10.4314/ejesm.v2i2.45921
[5]
A comparative review on the mitigation strategies of urban heat island (UHI): a pathway for sustainable urban development

Dongliang Han, Tiantian Zhang, Yuxin Qin et al.

Climate and Development 2023 10.1080/17565529.2022.2092051
[6]
Shao, H., and Kim, G. (2022). A Comprehensive Review of Different Types of Green Infrastructure to Mitigate Urban Heat Islands: Progress, Functions, and Benefits. Land, 11. 10.3390/land11101792
[7]
Wai, C.Y., Tariq, M.A.U.R., and Muttil, N. (2022). A Systematic Review on the Existing Research, Practices, and Prospects Regarding Urban Green Infrastructure for Thermal Comfort in a High-Density Urban Context. Water, 14. 10.3390/w14162496
[8]
Wang "Effects of Street Plants on Atmospheric Particulate Dispersion in Urban Streets: A Review" Environ. Rev. (2024)
[9]
The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews

Matthew J Page, Joanne E McKenzie, Patrick M Bossuyt et al.

BMJ 2021 10.1136/bmj.n71
[10]
Chen, Y., Zheng, B., and Hu, Y. (2020). Mapping Local Climate Zones Using ArcGIS-Based Method and Exploring Land Surface Temperature Characteristics in Chenzhou, China. Sustainability, 12. 10.3390/su12072974
[11]
Duarte "The Impact of Vegetation on Urban Microclimate to Counterbalance Built Density in a Subtropical Changing Climate" Urban Clim. (2015) 10.1016/j.uclim.2015.09.006
[12]
Gatto, E., Ippolito, F., Rispoli, G., Carlo, O.S., Santiago, J.L., Aarrevaara, E., Emmanuel, R., and Buccolieri, R. (2021). Analysis of Urban Greening Scenarios for Improving Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Neighbourhoods of Lecce (Southern Italy). Climate, 9. 10.3390/cli9070116
[13]
Dang "Different Urbanization Levels Lead to Divergent Responses of Spring Phenology" Photogramm. Eng. Remote Sens. (2023) 10.14358/pers.23-00008r2
[14]
D’Isidoro, M., Mircea, M., Borge, R., Finardi, S., de la Paz, D., Briganti, G., Russo, F., Cremona, G., Villani, M.G., and Adani, M. (2023). The Role of Vegetation on Urban Atmosphere of Three European Cities—Part 1: Evaluation of Vegetation Impact on Meteorological Conditions. Forests, 14. 10.3390/f14061235
[15]
He "A Study on the Impact of Green Infrastructure on Microclimate and Thermal Comfort" Pollack Period. (2023) 10.1556/606.2022.00668
[16]
Zhang "Rapid Urbanization and Meteorological Changes Are Reshaping the Urban Vegetation Pattern in Urban Core Area: A National 315-City Study in China" Sci. Total Environ. (2023) 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167269
[17]
Optimized greenery configuration to mitigate urban heat: A decade systematic review

Jiawei Fu, Karine Dupre, Silvia Tavares et al.

Frontiers of Architectural Research 2022 10.1016/j.foar.2021.12.005
[18]
Patel "Land Surface Temperature Responses to Land Use Dynamics in Urban Areas of Doha, Qatar" Sustain. Cities Soc. (2024) 10.1016/j.scs.2024.105273
[19]
Hashemi, F., Poerschke, U., Iulo, L.D., and Chi, G. (2023). Urban Microclimate, Outdoor Thermal Comfort, and Socio-Economic Mapping: A Case Study of Philadelphia, PA. Buildings, 13. 10.3390/buildings13041040
[20]
Silva "A Micro-Scale Look into Pedestrian Thermophysiological Comfort in an Urban Environment" Bull. Atmos. Sci. Technol. (2024) 10.1007/s42865-024-00082-x
[21]
Wang, Y., Dai, X., Gong, D., Zhou, L., Zhang, H., and Ma, W. (2024). Correlations between Urban Morphological Indicators and PM2.5 Pollution at Street-Level: Implications on Urban Spatial Optimization. Atmosphere, 15. 10.3390/atmos15030341
[22]
Quantifying tree canopy coverage threshold of typical residential quarters considering human thermal comfort and heat dynamics under extreme heat

Yingnan Li, Dongli Lin, Yuhan Zhang et al.

Building and Environment 2023 10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110100
[23]
Wang "A Practical Approach of Urban Green Infrastructure Planning to Mitigate Urban Overheating: A Case Study of Guangzhou" J. Clean Prod. (2021) 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124995
[24]
Kayet "Spatial Impact of Land Use/Land Cover Change on Surface Temperature Distribution in Saranda Forest, Jharkhand" Model Earth Syst. Environ. (2016) 10.1007/s40808-016-0159-x
[25]
Lanza "Heat-Resilient Schoolyards: Relations Between Temperature, Shade, and Physical Activity of Children During Recess" J. Phys. Act. Health (2023) 10.1123/jpah.2022-0405
[26]
Li "Analyzing the Impact of Various Factors on Leaf Surface Temperature Based on a New Tree-Scale Canopy Energy Balance Model" Sustain. Cities Soc. (2023) 10.1016/j.scs.2023.104994
[27]
Sharmin, M., Tjoelker, M.G., Pfautsch, S., Esperón-Rodriguez, M., Rymer, P.D., and Power, S.A. (2023). Tree Traits and Microclimatic Conditions Determine Cooling Benefits of Urban Trees. Atmosphere, 14. 10.3390/atmos14030606
[28]
Vasconcelos "Influence of Canopy Cover on Surface Temperature" Rev. Bras. Geogr. Fis. (2020) 10.26848/rbgf.v13.07.p3275-3286
[29]
The influence of vertical canopy structure on the cooling and humidifying urban microclimate during hot summer days

Mohammad A. Rahman, Martin Mokros, Thomas Rötzer et al.

Landscape and Urban Planning 2023 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104841
[30]
Li "Sky View Factor-Based Correlation of Landscape Morphology and the Thermal Environment of Street Canyons: A Case Study of Harbin, China" Build. Environ. (2020) 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106587
[31]
Li, G., Cheng, Q., Zhan, C., and Yocom, K.P. (2022). Evaluation Strategies on the Thermal Environmental Effectiveness of Street Canyon Clusters: A Case Study of Harbin, China. Sustainability, 14. 10.3390/su142013013
[32]
Ghaffour "Analysis of Urban Thermal Environments Based on the Perception and Simulation of the Microclimate in the Historic City of Tlemcen" Smart Sustain. Built Environ. (2020) 10.1108/sasbe-12-2019-0166
[33]
Revollo "Assessing the Evolution in Remotely Sensed Vegetation Index Using Image Processing Techniques" Anu. Inst. Geocienc. (2019) 10.11137/2019_3_27_41
[34]
Thomas "SaudiVeg Ecoinformatics: Aims, Current Status and Perspectives" Saudi J. Biol. Sci. (2017) 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.02.012
[35]
Linhares, C.S.F., Gonçalves, R., Martins, L.M., and Knapic, S. (2021). Structural Stability of Urban Trees Using Visual and Instrumental Techniques: A Review. Forests, 12. 10.3390/f12121752
[36]
Buyadi "Green Spaces Growth Impact on the Urban Microclimate" Procedia Soc. Behav. Sci. (2013) 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.11.058
[37]
Ibrahim "Evaluate the Effect of Land Surface Temperature in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Using Potential Remote Sensing Data and GIS Techniques" Int. J. Glob. Warm. (2021) 10.1504/ijgw.2021.116713
[38]
Liu "Wind Environment Assessment and Planning of Urban Natural Ventilation Corridors Using GIS: Shenzhen as a Case Study" Urban Clim. (2022) 10.1016/j.uclim.2022.101091
[39]
Teo, Y.H., Makani, M.A.B.H., Wang, W., Liu, L., Yap, J.H., and Cheong, K.H. (2022). Urban Heat Island Mitigation: GIS-Based Analysis for a Tropical City Singapore. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19. 10.3390/ijerph191911917
[40]
Buyadi, S.N.A., Mohd, W.M.N.W., and Misni, A. (2014). The Effects of Vegetation Growth on the Microclimate of Urban Area: A Case Study of Petaling District. Geoinformation for Informed Decisions, Springer. Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography. 10.1007/978-3-319-03644-1_11
[41]
Waheeb, S.A., Zerouali, B., Elbeltagi, A., Alwetaishi, M., Wong, Y.J., Bailek, N., AlSaggaf, A.A., Abd Elrahman, S.I.M., Santos, C.A.G., and Majrashi, A.A. (2023). Enhancing Sustainable Urban Planning through GIS and Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis: A Case Study of Green Space Infrastructure in Taif Province, Saudi Arabia. Water, 15. 10.3390/w15173031
[42]
Alqahtany "GIS-Based Assessment of Land Use for Predicting Increase in Settlements in Al Ahsa Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia for the Year 2032" Alex. Eng. J. (2023) 10.1016/j.aej.2022.07.020
[43]
Zhang, L., Yang, Y., Lin, Y., and Chen, H. (2022). Human Health, Environmental Quality and Governance Quality: Novel Findings and Implications From Human Health Perspective. Front. Public Health, 10. 10.3389/fpubh.2022.890741
[44]
Sustainable Mitigation Strategies for Urban Heat Island Effects in Urban Areas

Abdul Munaf Mohamed Irfeey, Hing-Wah Chau, Mohamed Mahusoon Fathima Sumaiya et al.

Sustainability 10.3390/su151410767
[45]
Utilising green and bluespace to mitigate urban heat island intensity

K.R. Gunawardena, M.J. Wells, T. Kershaw

Science of The Total Environment 2017 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.158
[46]
Alavipanah "The Role of Vegetation in Mitigating Urban Land Surface Temperatures: A Case Study of Munich, Germany during the Warm Season" Sustainability (2015) 10.3390/su7044689
[47]
Arghavani "Numerical Assessment of the Urban Green Space Scenarios on Urban Heat Island and Thermal Comfort Level in Tehran Metropolis" J. Clean Prod. (2020) 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121183
[48]
Effect of heat mitigation strategies on thermal environment, thermal comfort, and walkability: A case study in Hong Kong

Siqi Jia, Yuhong Wang

Building and Environment 2021 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107988
[49]
Semeraro, T., Scarano, A., Buccolieri, R., Santino, A., and Aarrevaara, E. (2021). Planning of Urban Green Spaces: An Ecological Perspective on Human Benefits. Land, 10. 10.3390/land10020105
[50]
Paudel "Urban Green Spaces and Sustainability: Exploring the Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Grassy Lawns versus Floral Meadows" Urban For. Urban Green. (2023) 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127932

Showing 50 of 97 references

Related

You May Also Like