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Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Author

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  • Bouthaina Sayad

    (Department of Architecture, Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, Saad Dahlab University—Blida 1 (SDUB), Blida 9000, Algeria)

  • Mansour Rifaat Helmi

    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Oumr Adnan Osra

    (Department of Islamic Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24381, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmad Mohammed Abed

    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

  • Haytham Hussain Alhubashi

    (Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Cities are facing significant challenges related to climate change, particularly due to the increasing impact of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. The present study investigated the UHI phenomenon at the microscale in Annaba, Algeria. The research involved a multi-step approach, starting with on-site measurements of urban microclimate parameters, performed in downtown Annaba on 6 July 2023. The UHI intensity was quantified by comparing city-measured temperatures with rural surroundings. Thermal imaging is then used to empirically identify the contributing factors to UHI initiation at the microscale. The study employed the ENVI-met model to analyse mitigation strategies, manipulating parameters for six scenarios including the current design of the study area. Outputs were used to assess the impact of these strategies on air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The findings revealed an intense UHI effect in Annaba city with a peak difference of 6.9 °C, with practical implications for buildings, ground and roads, vehicles, air conditioners, and specific facade materials. Introducing urban vegetation, particularly urban trees and green roofs, proved highly effectiveness in mitigating the UHI in downtown Annaba. Urban trees demonstrated the most substantial impact, reducing temperatures by 1.9 °C at 1 p.m., while green roof temperature reductions ranged from 0.1 °C to 2 °C.

Suggested Citation

  • Bouthaina Sayad & Mansour Rifaat Helmi & Oumr Adnan Osra & Ahmad Mohammed Abed & Haytham Hussain Alhubashi, 2024. "Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:2:p:747-:d:1319567
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karima Boussaidi & Djamila Djaghrouri & Moussadek Benabbas & Hasim Altan, 2023. "Assessment of Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Urban Public Space, during the Hottest Period in Annaba City, Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Taleghani, Mohammad, 2018. "Outdoor thermal comfort by different heat mitigation strategies- A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2011-2018.
    3. Yang, An-Shik & Juan, Yu-Hsuan & Wen, Chih-Yung & Chang, Chao-Jui, 2017. "Numerical simulation of cooling effect of vegetation enhancement in a subtropical urban park," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 178-200.
    4. Cihan Turhan & Ali Serdar Atalay & Gulden Gokcen Akkurt, 2023. "An Integrated Decision-Making Framework for Mitigating the Impact of Urban Heat Islands on Energy Consumption and Thermal Comfort of Residential Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-23, June.
    5. Zhao, Yongling & Sen, Sushobhan & Susca, Tiziana & Iaria, Jacopo & Kubilay, Aytaç & Gunawardena, Kanchane & Zhou, Xiaohai & Takane, Yuya & Park, Yujin & Wang, Xiaolin & Rubin, Andreas & Fan, Yifan & Y, 2023. "Beating urban heat: Multimeasure-centric solution sets and a complementary framework for decision-making," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    6. Magalie Técher & Hassan Ait Haddou & Rahim Aguejdad, 2023. "Urban Heat Island’s Vulnerability Assessment by Integrating Urban Planning Policies: A Case Study of Montpellier Méditerranée Metropolitan Area, France," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, January.
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