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A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar

Author

Listed:
  • Salim Ferwati

    (Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qatar University, Al Dafna, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Cynthia Skelhorn

    (Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qatar University, Al Dafna, Doha 2713, Qatar)

  • Vivek Shandas

    (Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201, USA)

  • Yasuyo Makido

    (Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University, 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201, USA)

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that many densely populated areas of the world will be uninhabitable in the coming century due to the depletion of resources, climate change, and increasing urbanization. This poses serious questions regarding the actions that require immediate attention, and opportunities to stave off massive losses of infrastructure, populations, and financial investments. The present study utilizes microclimate modeling to examine the role of landscape features as they affect ambient temperatures in one of the fastest growing regions of the world: Doha, Qatar. By modeling three study sites around Doha—one highly urbanized, one newly urbanizing, and one coastal low-density urbanized—the research indicates that at the neighborhood scale, the most effective scenario was that of adding mature trees along the sides of roads. In the coastal study area, the model results estimated a maximum hourly air temperature reduction of 1.35 °C, and in the highly urbanized inland site, surface temperature reductions were up to 15 °C at 12:00. While other scenarios were effective at reducing air and surface temperatures, the mean radiant temperature was also increased or nearly neutral for most of the other scenarios. This result highlights the need to develop improved shading measures for pedestrian pathways and outdoor recreational areas, especially for highly urbanized inland areas in Doha and cities with similar climatic conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Salim Ferwati & Cynthia Skelhorn & Vivek Shandas & Yasuyo Makido, 2019. "A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:730-:d:202065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Lelieveld & Y. Proestos & P. Hadjinicolaou & M. Tanarhte & E. Tyrlis & G. Zittis, 2016. "Strongly increasing heat extremes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the 21st century," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 137(1), pages 245-260, July.
    2. Santamouris, M., 2013. "Using cool pavements as a mitigation strategy to fight urban heat island—A review of the actual developments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 224-240.
    3. Hong, Bo & Lin, Borong, 2015. "Numerical studies of the outdoor wind environment and thermal comfort at pedestrian level in housing blocks with different building layout patterns and trees arrangement," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 18-27.
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    1. Ran Goldblatt & Abdullah Addas & Daynan Crull & Ahmad Maghrabi & Gabriel Gene Levin & Steven Rubinyi, 2021. "Remotely Sensed Derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) as a Proxy for Air Temperature and Thermal Comfort at a Small Geographical Scale," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-24, April.

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