Squares and urban microclimate:

Air temperature simulations in pre- and post-renovation scenarios

Abstract

The configuration of cities, resulting from the process of urban densification with a consequent reduction of open and green spaces, results in an imbalance in urban metabolism, changing air temperature and humidity, among others, damaging the quality of life and health of the population. Given this context, the present study discusses the results of microclimatic analyses, focusing on the variation in air temperature, in Bom Pastor square, located in the municipality of Vila Velha-ES, considering the pre- and post-renovation scenarios. To this end, simulations were carried out using the ENVI-Met® software, which allows understanding the dynamics of the urban microclimate in light of the effects of the local environment. Both simulations were carried out on the same date, considering six intervals for comparison purposes. In the first scenario, pre-renovation, the square had approximately 75% of tree shading, while in the second scenario, post-intervention, this value was significantly reduced. The results show that in the hottest times, Scenario 2, post-renovation, presents an average potential air temperature 0.7 °C higher than that recorded in Scenario 1, pre-renovation. The analyzes reinforce the contribution of vegetation to the balance of the urban microclimate and emphasize the importance of microclimatic simulations, still in the design phase, as instruments capable of proposing more responsive solutions to the effects of the climate crisis.