MODELLING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN DENSELY BUILT-UP AREAS

Urban expansion and climate change intensify the urban heat island effect. Mitigating heat stress and improving micrometeorological conditions in urban areas can be effectively achieved through nature-based solutions, particularly by integrating them into urban green infrastructure. This study evaluates the cooling efficacy of various urban green infrastructure combinations. Simulations were conducted using ENVI-met and validated against existing meteorological data. Four scenarios with different categories of nature-based solutions were analysed. The results demonstrated that all scenarios with urban green infrastructure improved micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort. Notably, configurations with street trees showed a significant cooling effect, reducing the mean air temperature (Ta) by 1.5°C and the mean Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) by 8.8°C. In contrast, green roofs had a lesser impact, with Ta decreasing by 0.2°C and PET by 0.7°C. These findings offer valuable insights for designers, helping them select optimal urban green infrastructure combinations to enhance micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort in street canyons. Beyond its relevance to urban climate research, this study contributes to a broader interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable urban development and climate adaptation strategies, making it of interest to policymakers, planners, and scholars across environmental and social sciences.