Coupling outdoor air quality with thermal comfort in the presence of street trees: a pilot investigation in Shenyang, Northeast China

Abstract Together, the heat island effect and air pollution pose a threat to human health well-being in urban settings. Nature-based solutions such as planting trees are mitigation strategy improve outdoor temperatures (thermal comfort) enhance quality areas. In this study, thermal comfort, particulate matter levels were compared between treeless treed areas provide better understanding of how street comfort quality. Street decreased physiological equivalent temperature from 46.3 44.2 °C summer but increased it 36.4 37.5 autumn. Air relative humidity contributed more while wind speed Particulate concentrations negatively correlated with not The presence fine hot conditions autumn conditions. coarse very Overall, layout canyons should consider trade-off improvement.