Urban Microclimate, Outdoor Thermal Comfort, and Socio-Economic Mapping: A Case Study of Philadelphia, PA

Urban areas are often warmer than rural due to the phenomenon known as “urban heat island” (UHI) effect, which can cause discomfort for those engaging in outdoor activities and have a disproportionate impact on low-income communities, people of color, elderly. The intensity UHI effect is influenced by variety factors, including urban morphology, vary from one area another. To investigate relationship between thermal comfort morphology different blocks with varying social vulnerability status, this study developed geographic information system (GIS)-based workflow that combined “local climate zone” (LCZ) classification an microclimate assessment tool called ENVI-met. demonstrate effectiveness methodology, selected two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–with high low indices (SVI)–to compare their conditions association morphological characteristics such green coverage area, sky view factor (SVF), albedo, street height width (H/W) ratio. results showed there was strong correlation tree grass air mean radiant temperature during hot seasons extremely days, turn affected simulated predicted vote (PMV). effects greenery were more significant block associated SVI, where nearly 50% site covered trees grass, compared only 0.02% other SVI. Furthermore, investigation discovered reduced SVF, along increased albedo H/W ratio, had beneficial at pedestrian level within studied blocks. This provided effective easy-to-implement method tackling inequity issue fine scales.