Building a thermal load map

Contribution to the urban climatic analysis map of Arapiraca city, Brazil.

Abstract

Climate changes arising from the urbanization process are associated with the warming of the urban environment. This aspect reveals the need to identify solutions to minimize climate impacts through the planning and urban design. Therefore, the urban climatic analysis map is a relevant instrument for the application of bioclimatic strategies to improve urban environmental quality. The objective of this work was to elaborate the thermal load map of the  Arapiraca-AL, located in the brazilian semi-arid region, as a subsidy for the construction of the local urban climatic analysis map. The multicriteria analysis method was used, applied to spatial analysis using the QGis software. The methodological procedures adopted were: a) elaboration of a built volume map; b) elaboration of tree mass map and c) microclimate monitoring to verify differences in the performance of urban fractions. The results indicate that the areas with the greatest tendency to accumulate thermal load are located in the most central regions of the urban site. This is due to the presence of a larger built volume and low rate of urban afforestation. In conclusion, it is pointed out the need to establish land occupation parameters in the local urban legislation for the preservation of climate mitigation areas, as well as for the adequacy of areas identified with a thermal load accumulation pattern