The impact of environmental and human factors on urban heat and microclimate variability

Pui Yun, Paulina WONG, Poh Chin LAI, Chien Tat LOW, Si CHEN, Melissa HART

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

91 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Urbanization is known to cause noticeable changes in the properties of local climate. Studies have shown that urban areas, compared to rural areas with less artificial surfaces, register higher local temperatures as a result of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs). Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and a high proportion of its population residing in densely built high-rise buildings are experiencing some degrees of thermal discomfort. This study selected Mong Kok and Causeway Bay, two typical urban communities in Hong Kong, to gather evidence of microclimate variation and sources of thermal discomfort. UHIs were estimated from 58 logging sensors placed at strategic locations to take temperature and humidity measurements over 17 consecutive days each in the summer/hot and winter/cool periods. By employing geographic information and global positioning systems, these measurements were geocoded and plotted over the built landscape to convey microclimate variation. The empirical data were further aligned with distinct environmental settings to associate possible factors contributing to UHIs. This study established the existence and extent of microclimate variation of UHI within urban communities of different environmental configuration and functional uses. The findings provided essential groundwork for further studies of UHI effects to inform sources of local thermal discomfort and better planning design to safeguard environmental health in public areas.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)199-208
Number of pages10
JournalBuilding and Environment
Volume95
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016
Externally publishedYes

Funding

This research was funded partially by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (HKU 744113) and the University of Hong Kong Graduate School. Acknowledgement is also due to Fulbright and Lee Hysan Foundation. The Authors would like to thank the following government departments for granting permissions to install sensors on street signs for continuous roadside measurement: Department of Transport, Highways Department, and Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR. Thanks are also extended to Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) for providing access to specific weather stations to calibrate and validate sensors.

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