Loyde Abreu-Harbich

and 4 more

Occupations in unstructured areas subject to flooding and landslides in Brazilian cities have little vegetation, soil sealing, and concentration of air and noise pollution, impacting human health and well-being. Urban density combined with paved soil in high areas of the city can cause the phenomenon of a heat island in extreme weather events, such as rainwater flooding the lower regions of the city. There is important identify areas that need to be rebuilt to mitigate urban heat and vulnerability. This work presents a methodology for monitoring meteorological data for constructing urban heat maps in Suzano, Brazil, assisting in developing urban risk mitigation strategies. The urban parameters considered in these analyses were land uses and occupation, urban configurations (height and width of buildings), vegetation, topography, and wetlands. Methods: a) survey of urban parameters in four different areas; b) collection of environmental data during three seasons. There were used the fixed station to collect data on air temperature and humidity for 20 days in 4 areas of cities and a mobile station to collect data on air temperature and globe temperatures, humidity, wind, and surface temperatures for 1 hour in the morning an 1 hour in the afternoon for each season); c) data analysis: correlation between mapping climate data and urban parameters; d) development of urban guidelines for mitigating urban heat. In the central area, it was observed that air temperatures were around 3o C higher than in other areas. It is influenced by materials used on façades and pavements and the lack of urban trees or pocket parks. In areas close to green areas, the humidity was 5% higher than in other areas. Actions to increase permeable and green areas on sidewalks, such as the implementation of rain gardens and incentives to reduce car circulation, are actions considered. Urban heat maps help architects, urban planners, engineers, and professionals interested in improving the environment and bringing sustainability to cities.
Satellite surface temperatures of São Paulo city show heat islands and coolness islands due urban form. Some planned neighborhoods have street trees, green areas, appropriate urban drainage to prevent flooding in floodplain areas, and adequate thermal comfort and ventilation conditions for urban health and human well-being. Other neighborhoods that originated irregularly within the urban grid or on the city’s outskirts suffer from extreme weather problems, such as urban heat islands and localized rainfall that cause flooding and landslides. This contrast in quality of life and urban vulnerability is very present in large cities. This work investigates urban heat at the pedestrian scale in different urban forms in Paraisópolis-Morumbi region. Methods: a) Study area selection; c) Field climate data (air temperature and humidity), every 10 min (08/25/2024 to 09/14/2024); d)Quantify heat and thermal comfort by the PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature) and UTCI (Universal Thermal Climate Index); e)Analysis of current and future scenarios. The maximum air temperature difference between the Morumbi (area 1)  and Paraisópolis (area 3) was 7.8º C in 2023 and 11,77 ºC in 2024.  In therms of PET, difference betwenn Favela and 12.5ºC in PET and 10ºC in UTCI. The maximum relative humidity values showed similar values, around 79%, but the minimum values differed by 14.4%. Although data collection was conducted in winter season, heat conditions can worsen during the rainy season, when temperatures in PET and UTCI can exceed 45°C, in conditions of extreme thermal stress. The computer simulations were able to present the current and future scenario in which temperatures can be cooled with the implementation of a park in the Antonico Valley (area 3) and the increase in trees in the Fazendinha Community region. Keywords: Outdoor Thermal Comfort; Urban Heat Stress, Favelas, Urban Form