THE EFFECT OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS ON THE URBAN MICROCLIMATE BY USING ENVI-MET Ver 4.3 SIMULATION PROGRAMME

Abstract

One is the environmental impact of rapid urbanization is the Urban Heat Island (UHI). This climatic phenomenon can directly affect urban dwelling discomfort and indirectly related to climate change due to their contribution to the greenhouse effect and hence leads to global warming. Thermal remote sensing measurement, weather stations network observation and numerical simulation model are several methods used to monitor the UHI event. However, a numerical method can give a greater control over modelling in regards to time and resources. This research aims to study the effects of natural environment on the air temperature distribution within a small urban setting. The examined scenarios were investigated using micro scale numerical model, ENVI-Met Ver. 4.3. The accuracy of the base model is validated by field measurements. The analysis revealed an important reduction of air temperature through shading effect of trees and leaves’ evapotranspiration. The influence of greenspace and waterbodies on urban microclimate were significantly important to reduce ambient temperature in urbanized areas. This study provides evidence that the
microclimate and outdoor thermal conditions in Section 7, Shah Alam city are greatly affected by different urban surface properties. The outcome of the study provides valuable insight for urban designers and planners making a right decision during the designing process through assessment and visualization the relevant impact of these phenomena on the urban environment for mitigating urban heat island effect. This results also contribute an understanding on the possibilities for the transformation of existing urban spaces towards a more liveable and sustainable future.