Heat vulnerability digital mapping at neighbourhood level in the compact city

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of urban form and vegetation on one of the most significant parameters that affect people’s thermal comfort and an indicator of urban heat vulnerability: the mean radiant temperature (MRT). To obtain spatialized results and understand in detail the current thermal situation of different public spaces that are part of the city, we combined the SOLWEIG calculation model included in the UMEP tool for QGIS with Urban Weather Generator for Rhino. Six neighbourhoods of Rome (IT) and the associated areas with typical compact urban forms, ranging from historical centre to modern suburbs, have been analysed in the warmest week of the year (August 03-09) during the most critical hours of the day (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Georeferenced maps with the mean values of MRT for the studied period allow us to analyse the thermal behaviour of each public square and neighbourhood and locate possible urban havens during heatwaves. This study is part of a larger work that seeks to define a more accurate approach to quantify heat vulnerability within the urban vulnerability indexes, in light of the climate crisis facing cities.