Numerical Simulations of Urban Heat Islands – Evaluation of Simulation Results by Thermal Measurements

Abstract

Urban development, including urban surfaces, vegetation, and water bodies, influence the urban climate in various ways. In addition to the geometric features of the built environment, material properties such as thermal storage capacity and the radiative behavior of roofs, facades, and transportation infrastructure significantly impact the local climate and the formation of heat islands.Climate simulations are well established and scientifically recognized for predicting thermal conditions by means of thermal-hygro-energetic room and building simulations and urban and environmental climate simulations. However, numerical simulations regularly raise questions regarding their predictive potential and the accuracy of the results.This article focuses particularly on the ap-proach of evaluating simulation results using different climatic parameters (air temperature, wind speed, surface temperature). The measurements are taken both in-situ and remotely sensed using drones. By comparing the simulation results with the measurements, the input parameters of the simulation can be refined. This enables the development of reliable forecasts to assess the effectiveness of additional green infrastructures, such as green roofs and facades, in reducing the urban heat island effect. Based on these insights, suitable adaptation strategies can be planned to make cities more resilient to increasingly intense heat waves.