Efeitos da vegetação no conforto térmico de praças urbanas: análise de cenários parametrizados sob influência de onda de calor

Abstract

The use of vegetation cover in urban squares can be an element that mitigates the local effect of urban heat islands (UCI). However, there is still a need for studies on the impact of increasing the proportion of vegetative mass on the microclimate of small urban areas, especially in warmer regions. This research compared the current configuration of three urban squares located in the city of Juiz de Fora - MG with alternative scenarios that considered different vegetative compositions (area and type of vegetation). The study, conducted on heat wave days, analyzed air temperature and humidity, as well as the UTCI comfort index resulting from three alternative scenarios with different types of vegetation cover, in three squares with different sizes, within similar surroundings, in the urban center of Juiz de Fora (MG). To this end, based on the landscape survey of the squares in their current state, computer simulations of the thermal conditions of the real model and alternative scenarios were developed in the Envi-Met version 5.5 software. Alternative scenarios were modeled with 100% grass, 100% tree cover and 50% grass with 50% tree cover. The results showed that the area covered 100% with tree vegetation, under microclimatic conditions, was able to reduce the temperature, in addition to increasing the humidity inside the squares, improving the thermal sensation in the environment.