Microclimatic and thermal comfort benefits offered by tree vegetation in the designated area of the Historic Center

Abstract

Vegetation enhances the beauty of urban landscapes and provides benefits for thermal comfort and the well-being of people in areas with elevated temperatures. This study focuses on the Historic Center of Cuiabá, MT, which has a tropical continental climate and is nationally protected. Its urban layout is characterized by narrow streets and sidewalks, limiting the introduction of tree vegetation. This research aims to assess the impacts on the microclimate and thermal comfort of pedestrians resulting from simulations of tree planting in the Historic Center of Cuiabá. A computational simulation approach was employed using the ENVI-met software, modeling the area with its current tree coverage (9%) and projected coverage (20%). The analysis focused on environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, air velocity, and radiant temperature on sidewalks and roadways. In the scenario with increased tree coverage, air temperature rose while relative humidity decreased during the most critical time of day (2 PM). Meanwhile, due to the effects of reflection and shading from the tree canopies, average radiant temperature and air velocity were reduced. Consequently, the impact on thermal sensation was more pronounced directly under the canopies, with minimal effects extending around the tree specimens. Thus, proper positioning and spacing of trees along the streets should be considered when considering the thermal environment for pedestrians in the historic center. Given these findings, there is a need to discuss the loss of existing tree cover in public and private spaces, reforestation, and preserving heritage within the protected area. These topics are inherently interconnected and should be addressed collectively.