Examining the Effects of Tree Canopy Coverage on Human Thermal Comfort and Heat Dynamics in Courtyards: A Case Study in Hot-Humid Regions

Providing thermal comfort in the courtyards of academic buildings is important and increasing tree canopy coverage (TCC) presents a convenient feasible method to achieve this; however, few studies have comprehensively evaluated cooling effects TCC, considering both outdoor heat dynamics. In this study, we selected two typical at Guangzhou University, each with having different height-to-width ratios (H/W ratios). We employed field measurements ENVI-met-based numerical models simulate scenarios varying TCCs. The results demonstrated that caused by arranging trees increase TCC values. During hottest hours day, arranged high H/W exhibited superior effect compared those low ratios, difference up 0.6 °C PET (physiological equivalent temperature); over entire daytime, total sensible reduction achieved surpassed 0.25 × 104 J/m2. Our findings underscore crucial role enhancing courtyard buildings, implications for university planning design.