Exploring the Interplay Between Urban Morphology and Microclimate in Urban Heat Island Formation

Abstract

It has been observed that the formation of urban heat islands depends on a lot of factors like meteorological conditions and specific characteristics of a city. Among the major contributors to the creation of an urban heat island are urban parameters like the usage of materials of low albedo, design of urban geometry, high population density, and presence of anthropogenic heat sources together aggravating the problem. The phenomenon of urban climate is becoming more and more complex at both local and global levels due to its multiple interconnected variables. Such elements include the built environment, strategies for urban design, urban morphology, building density, coverage with vegetation, height and orientation of buildings, distance between buildings, exposure to sunlight on road surfaces, and wind patterns. Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining the thermal dynamics of urban areas. For example, street-level wind velocities can significantly influence the development of a city's thermal microclimate by either facilitating or hindering the dispersal of heat. The interaction of these factors results in the amplification of heat retention within the urban environment, often leading to a noticeable temperature difference compared to surrounding rural areas. The objective of this paper is to examine and synthesize earlier studies about the relationship between the shape of urban morphology and its influence on the microclimate, especially with regard to the development of urban heat islands. The better the dynamics at play are understood, the better urban planners and environmental scientists can address and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands.