Assessing the Effects of Street Morphology on Thermal Comfort in Hot Arid Urban Environments

https://doi.org/10.46610/JoIDRP.2024.v09i02.002

Abstract

The research examines the influence of street morphology on the thermal comfort of pedestrians by
studying urban climate dynamics and their various levels. It also explores the formation
characteristics of open urban spaces and their impact on thermal comfort. The study focuses on
two streets in Al-Adhamiya, Baghdad a city characterized by a hot, arid climate. These streets
include Al-Officers Street, with contemporary urban planning, and the roads of Al-Shuyoukh
locality, with traditional urban planning. The research involved analyzing the components of both
streets and calculating the street width ratio to building height in the field. A questionnaire was
also conducted to compare the perceived thermal comfort of pedestrians on both roads. The
findings reveal that thermal comfort improves when the street width-to-building height ratio
approaches 0.5, as observed in the streets of the Al-Shuyoukh locality.
Additionally, using traditional building materials, such as bricks, contributes positively to thermal
comfort. Conversely, a higher ratio, coupled with high-heat-absorbing materials like glass and
concrete and increased traffic congestion, produces a heightened perception of heat and
discomfort. These insights underscore the importance of urban design and material choice in
enhancing thermal comfort in hot, arid climates.