Evaluating Urban Thermal Comfort through a Holistic Micro-Climate Model: Baghdad as a Case Study

Abstract

Urbanization greatly affects the change in local climate conditions. To address this, urban vegetation needs to be expanded to help dissipate excess heat by promoting evaporation. This study aims to reconnect the urban corridors and spaces of the Al-Mustansiriya region in Baghdad city through a network of green infrastructure (GI), employing the ENVI-MET V4 simulation program, which is a comprehensive micro climate modeling system used to measure and enhance pedestrian comfort levels in an urban environment. The results of the analysis show the significant effect of urban intervention strategies in reducing pedestrian heat stress. Where the air temperature drops by 3-4°C. Furthermore, an association was detected between leaf area density and PET levels. In a broader sense, this research supports the use of ecological urbanization along with integrated urban micro-environment modeling as a catalyst for urban quality improvement.