Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Investigating the role of urban parks on thermal comfort (case study: Eller Baghi and Saheli Park in Urmia City)

Document Type : thesis

Authors
1 Urban Planning department, Urmia University
2 Urban planning department, Urmia university
10.22034/gahr.2025.499512.2364
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of urban ecological factors, such as urban parks, in reducing the surrounding temperature and enhancing the thermal comfort of residents.



To conduct this study, we utilized maps of earth surface temperature and vegetation health. We analyzed these indicators alongside microclimate data, which included temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The data was collected over six sessions from July 5 to August 10, 1403, each session lasting from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, using portable devices. Rayman software was employed to calculate the Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index, a key component in assessing thermal comfort.

The results indicated that the presence of ecological factors in the studied park can reduce the surrounding temperature by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius within a radius of 85 to 90 meters. By evaluating various points within the area, we found that the last two points of both parks—located 850 meters from the central point and lacking vegetation—recorded the highest average temperatures over the six days. Specifically, point A had an average temperature of 35.22 degrees Celsius, whereas point G was measured at 33 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the central point of the park, which includes vegetation and a fountain, exhibited the lowest average temperature of 29.47 degrees Celsius.

Additionally, the Physiological Equivalent Temperature index was highest at point A, reaching 50.93, while the central park point registered the lowest value of 42.55. This highlights the significant difference in thermal comfort between these two locations.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 34
Summer 2026
Pages 107-128

  • Receive Date 12 January 2025
  • Revise Date 21 January 2025
  • Accept Date 03 March 2025