Prediction of Thermal Environment Vulnerability through Meso-Micro Climate Scale CFD Simulations: A Case Study of Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea

This paper presents an integrated approach for predicting urban thermal environment vulnerability employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations at the meso- and microclimate scales. The analysis focused on Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, which covers an area of approximately 40 km in length. A mesoclimate-scale CFD simulation was performed to assess large-scale thermal patterns, which led to the identification of Bijun-dong, Poseung-eup, and Jisan-dong as climate-vulnerable regions. These areas exhibit elevated temperatures, which can be attributed to their geographical features. A subsequent microclimate-scale CFD simulation covering a 5 km2 area in greater detail provided deeper insights into the urban thermal environment. The findings revealed pronounced urban heat island effects in all three regions. Exacerbated by their geographic characteristics and irregular building layouts, these make them particularly susceptible to heat waves. More than 50% of the analyzed areas were identified as climate-vulnerable zones with temperatures surpassing 35 °C at an elevation of 1.5 m above sea level. Based on the results of the study, we propose strategic technologies and guidelines for mitigating climate risks such as heatwaves, and offer recommendations for improving urban climate resilience.