The Cooling Effect of Green Spaces as a Contribution to Reduce the Urban Heat A case study Golmohamady Park in Esfahan

Green spaces in the urban environment can contribute to reduce the Urban Heat Island. In a context of climate change, with the expected increase in temperature, dryness and intensity of heat waves, green areas assume even higher importance as they can create a cooling effect that extends to the surrounding areas. This study analyses the thermal performance of Golmohamady Park (9.2866 ha) with vegetation cover (7.5464 ha) and its influence in the surrounding atmospheric environment space in Esfahan. Measurements of weather parameters (temperature, relative humidity and wind speed) were carried out along a selected path, starting from inside the green area to surrounding streets with different orientations and solar exposure. It was found that the park was cooler than the surrounding areas, either in the sun or in the shade. These differences were higher in hotter days and particularly related to the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt). The highest difference found was of 6.7 C in relation to air temperature. In both cases this difference occurred between the shaded site inside the park and the sunny site in an E-W oriented street in the North of Golmohamady Park. Besides the local weather conditions, particularly the low wind speed, the sun exposure and the urban geometry are the potential factors that explain these differences. The cooling effect of green spaces on the surrounding environment can be enhanced by additional measures related to the urban features of each city.