Mobile Measurements of Microclimatic Variables Through the Central Area of Singapore

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of different urban morphologies such as high-rise and low-rise buildings, green areas, and water bodies on the urban microclimate in Singapore. Mobile measurements were conducted for the first time in the central area of Singapore to explore the severity of the UHI effect through distinctive urban morphologies. The SVF was calculated. This study revealed a strong relationship between the decrease in air temperature and greenery coverage in the city. Moreover, during the daytime, the air temperature was higher when SVF increased, except for the water body area. The thermal effect of green areas includes temperature reduction through shade provision from vegetation and evapotranspiration which lead to a relatively cool level air temperature throughout the day. However, although green areas can reduce air temperature, shading is a much more important factor in the tropics. During daytime, reductions by up to 4.5ºC were observed due to the shading of the buildings while the cooling effect of vegetation reduced the air temperature by up to 4ºC during the daytime and up to 1ºC at night-time. Therefore, understanding the relationship between urban morphology and microclimate conditions may better drive sustainable urban planning and development in the tropics.

Keywords: microclimate, outdoor thermal comfort, urban heat island, greenery, transect, sky view factor