Urban vegetation effects on different urban forms to mitigate heat
stress, thermal comfort and vulnerability: case of Paraisópolis-Morumbi,
São Paulo
Abstract
Satellite surface temperatures of São Paulo show heat islands and
coolness islands due to 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. Others
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 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 Morumbi (area 1) and
Paraisópolis (area 3) was 7.8º C in 2023 and 11,77 ºC in 2024. The
difference between Favela is 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 the winter, heat conditions can worsen during the rainy
season, when temperatures in PET and UTCI can exceed 45 ºC in conditions
of extreme thermal stress. The computer simulations presented the
current and future scenarios in which temperatures can be cooled with
the implementation of a park in the Antonico Valley (area 3).