Sensitivity analysis of Urban Heat Island parameters based on Urban Weather Generator model

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Rural exodus leads to fill cities and consequently to develop and boost urbanization. Until now, effects of climate were not sufficiently considered. More and more, decision makers examine situations on this side. Scientists highlight the effects of urbanization on comfort based on temperature and humidity. They underlined the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects and the linked parameters. Through 10 parameters, we accomplished a sensitivity analysis of the UHI using the Urban Weather Generator (UWG) to model the climate. Results showed the significance of Albedo but mainly of building height and building density. Those two last parameters have a great impact on the UHI Intensity (UHII). We observed a significant change on the temperature and humidity affecting the comfort of city dwellers with staggering figures near to the state of medical emergency with certain scenarios. Consequently, we can assume that urban planners and decision makers must focus on it. Despite the urban sprawl, this analysis supports this theory. One of the alternatives could be to use factors interacting together with sharpness and to adjust the parameters in order to obtain a resilient city.