Impact of Crowded Urban Areas on Microclimates

Figure 1: Route and Stops on a park map

Introduction Crowded urban areas are often characterized by heat islands: unpleasant microclimate conditions marked by increased local temperatures and radiation intensity. Heavy traffic (among other factors) increases this effect. Vegetation reduces temperature and increases relative humidity. Thus, urban parks and green areas can dramatically improve urban microclimates, especially in hot regions. In this experiment we will compare crowded urban areas with heavy traffic to urban parks in terms of temperature and relative humidity.

| Impact of Crowded Urban Areas on Microclimate |

Equipment einstein™Tablet with MiLAB or Android /IOS Tablet with MiLAB and einstein™LabMate Temperature Sensor (-40°C to 140°C) Humidity Sensor Radiation Shield Wooden or plastic pole 180 cm long Large scale map of the area where the experiment will take place

Equipment Setup 1.

2.

Place the Humidity and Temperature Sensors inside the Radiation Shield.

Attach the Radiation Shield to the top of the pole.

3.

Launch MiLAB (

4.

Connect the Humidity Sensor and the Temperature Sensor to ports of the einstein™ Tablet or einstein™ LabMate.

In the Current Setup Summary window choose Full Setup and use the table below to set up the experiment. Make sure that only the Humidity Sensor and Temperature Sensor are selected under Measurements.

5.

).

Current Setup Summary Program the sensors to log data according to the following setup: Humidity Rate:

10 / sec

Duration:

1 sec

Temperature (-40°C to 140°C) Rate:

10 / sec

Samples:

1 sec

Procedure 1.

2.

3.

Choose at least two sites at the outskirts of the city or by the seashore.

On the map, draw a route that passes through built-up areas on either side of the green area and also through the center of the green area itself. The line need not be straight. It could, for example, follow a road. In the green area, it is important that the route crosses a range of vegetation i.e. grass and nearby shady trees (Figure 1).

On the route, choose 15 locations where you will be able to take measurements. The locations should be separated by approximately equal distances and include a variety of areas (i.e. in the built-up area and in the green area).

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| Impact of Crowded Urban Areas on Microclimate |

4.

Tap Run (

) to enable recording data.

5.

6.

Collect the data manually: Tap Run each time you wish to record a data sample.

Wait 60 seconds before collecting the first data sample.

7.

Walk to Location #2. Wait 60 seconds and collect the second data sample: Tap Run (

8.

Repeat the manual recording procedure for each location. Wait 60 seconds and Tap Run (

). ) to

record the data sample.

9.

After recording data at the last station, Tap Stop (

10. Save your data by tapping Save (

) to stop the data recording.

).

Data Analysis For more information on working with graphs see: Working with Graphs in MiLAB An example of the graph obtained in this experiment is shown below (the humidity is the red graph and the temperature is the blue graph): ̶ 30 ̶ 28

̶ 24 Humidity (%)

Humidity ̶ 22 ̶ 20

Temperatur e

Temperature (0C)

̶ 26

̶ 18 ̶ 16 ̶ 14

Figure 2

1.

2.

3.

Compare the curve of the relative humidity line to the curve of the temperature line. Is there a correlation between the two?

Analyze the temperature and relative humidity values at each of the locations according to the characteristics of the area i.e. road canyons, junctions, main road, side road, grass, trees, etc.

Compare the results of various types of locations.

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| Impact of Crowded Urban Areas on Microclimate |

Questions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What features of locations near crowded buildings affect temperature and relative humidity? Consider differences in street orientation, street and sidewalk materials, and access to sea breezes, etc.

How do areas of heavy traffic affect temperature and relative humidity?

Discuss the effect of urban parks on the climate in the surrounding built-up areas. Compare it to areas farther away from the park.

What differences in temperature and relative humidity did you find in different land uses within the urban park e.g. sand, grass, shrubs, under tall trees, under dense trees? Which land uses in the green area are most effective at reducing temperature?

To what extent would you encourage your local authority/municipality to invest in green areas or to limit traffic in residential areas? How would you explain the importance of doing so from the point of view of climate comfort? What other arguments in favor of the expansion of green areas and limiting traffic would you offer?

Further Suggestions 1.

2.

3.

4.

Replace the Temperature Sensor in the Radiation Shield with a Temperature TC-K Sensor and change the recording rate to 1 sample per second. This will provide an immediate response to temperature changes and can be used, for example, to measure temperature changes near bus stops as buses come and go.

Replace the Temperature Sensor in the Radiation Shield with a Temperature TC-K Sensor and change the recording rate to 1 sample per second. Walk slowly and stand in the doorway of an air-conditioned store. Move close to the vent of the air conditioner. What impact might these factors have on the temperature at street level?

Measure the temperature differences between the shady and the sunny sides of a street.

Compare measurements of the same route and locations during different seasons, and times of day.

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| Impact of Crowded Urban Areas on Microclimate |

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