THERMAL COMFORT MAPPING OF PUBLIC SQUARES USING LANDSCAPE INTERVENTIONS

Rapid urbanization and rising temperatures had reduced the usability of public squares in tropical megacities, limiting their role as inclusive civic spaces. This study assessed outdoor thermal comfort and tested the effectiveness of landscape interventions in seven renowned public squares in Lagos, Nigeria: Tafawa Balewa Square, Muri Okunola Park, Freedom Park, JJT Park, Gani Fawehinmi Park, Iga Idunganran Palace Square, and Tinubu Square. A mixed methods approach was adopted, combining field climate measurements, pedestrian activity mapping, and microclimate simulation using ENVI-met and SOLWEIG. Four scenarios were modeled for each square: baseline, increased vegetation to 30% canopy, structural shading covering 40% of open area, and cool surfaces with water features, plus an integrated approach combining all three. Thermal comfort was quantified using UTCI and PET at pedestrian height and mapped using GIS to identify stress zones and improvement areas. Results showed significant variation in baseline conditions. Paved squares with low vegetation recorded strong heat stress at midday, while squares with existing trees performed better. The integrated scenario produced the greatest impact, reducing average UTCI by 5.1°C and increasing comfortable hours by 3.3 hours per day across all sites. Effectiveness was typology dependent: large squares responded best to canopy and shade, while small CBD squares benefited most from reflective materials and water. Overlay analysis revealed a major mismatch between high activity zones and comfortable zones at baseline, which improved by up to 35% after interventions. The study provided typology-specific design guidelines and a replicable framework for climate-responsive public space planning in tropical cities.