Bangalore

Abstract

Population growth and rapid urbanization have exposed our cities to several environmental challenges. Replacing greenery with building construction materials like concrete, glass etc. have led to increased ambient temperatures causing urban heat island in many cities. Such problems are negatively affecting human outdoor thermal comfort especially in public open spaces. While the green cover is being compromised for accommodating larger population, the available green areas are unable to create comfortable environment for public use. This study aims to investigate urban thermal comfort of public parks in Mumbai city. The duration and intensity of the use of an outdoor space is greatly affected by the comfort or discomfort conditions of the area. To understand the micro climate and the thermal stress experienced in the park, meteorological readings like Air temperature, Humidity, wind speed, black globe temperature are recorded. Along with-it questionnaire surveys are performed to record user experience of the park, there preferred clothing and intensity of activities performed on site throughout the day. The qualitative and quantitative assessment will help map the heat stress vulnerability of these parks. The success of any public open space depends on the amount of time people spend at that open space. Since the city’s parks fall short to achieve the benchmark of Urban thermal comfort, this understanding can be applied to re design our parks, using bio climatic landscape design strategies to create thermally comfortable outdoor experience for people and effectively improve the quality of urban living.