Evaluating the contribution of green spaces to thermal microclimate improvement in a hot and dry context: the case of Biskra University Campus

This study investigates the impact of green spaces on enhancing the thermal microclimate of the Biskra University campus, located in a hot and arid urban environment in southeastern Algeria. Through an experimental approach, air temperature, relative humidity, and airspeed were measured at five distinct points, each representing varying vegetation characteristics. The results reveal that vegetation significantly reduces ambient temperatures, with differences of up to 2.6°C observed between measurement sites. Key findings indicate that cooling efficiency is influenced by several factors, including the type and density of vegetation, the time of day, exposure to solar radiation, and the nature of surrounding surfaces. Among vegetation types, trees demonstrated greater cooling effectiveness than grass, particularly when densely planted. The study concludes that strategic vegetation placement, combined with additional shading structures such as pergolas and well-planned spatial orientation, can significantly improve microclimatic conditions in arid urban environments. These findings underscore the potential of integrating green spaces into urban planning to mitigate heat and enhance thermal comfort in challenging climates.