PROPOSED METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF PLANT SHADE IN PUBLIC SPACES IN COLOMBIA BASED ON AIR TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION ACCORDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS

Abstract

Incorporation of tree species and permeable surface in public spaces has the target of improve thermal performance in resilient spaces to climate change. However, is expected that its possible obtain negative consequences for the habitability of this kind of spaces, because of water retention. Therefore, there is a need of reviewing the amount of tree shade in public spaces for achieving the balance between thermal performance and water retention in the surfaces. The main objective of this research was proposed a method for rating of tree shade in the urban context in accordance with its density, based on a simultaneous analysis between thermal performance and water evaporation capacity on impermeable and permeable floor surfaces. For that an analysis was done, through computer simulations with the plug-in Grasshopper for Rhino 3D, on sixteen (16) scenarios. Varying the density of treetop (high, medium, low and without shadow), the kind of floor (impermeable or permeable), the current climate scenario and one climate change scenario (2080) for Cali, Colombian city. As main conclusions must be highlighted, on the one hand, the antagonism observed between the variables as thermal performance and total water on the surfaces, results more significant than expected. For this reason, is relevant consider a balance between those before design public spaces. Finally, on the other hand, this research outlines news criterion of habitability for increasing the shade tree in urban zones as strategy of climate change.