Retrofitting public spaces for thermal comfort and sustainability

Abstract

This article discusses the retrofitting of public spaces in compact urban areas bearing in mind the need for outdoor thermal comfort. The role of paving materials and vegetation was focused on a field survey undertaken at a square in Porto, Portugal. The potential for microclimatic improvement of different combinations of paving materials and vegetation was explored through simulations with ENVI-met. The options, objectives and results of the simulations and an evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment related factors were addressed and discussed. The best improvement scenario was defined stressing the relevance of ‘cool’ paving materials and vegetation and the need for a sustainability analysis throughout the design practice.