Evaluation on thermal comfort impact of the revegetation project at the Fremantle train line’s corridor in Perth City - Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Perth City is one of the state capital that has the highest urbanisation rate in Australia. The urbanization process has affected urban infrastructure, and at the same time created the urban heat island, increasing urban temperature and reducing the outdoor thermal comfort of dwellers. Greening projects have been carried across the city to improve the current circumstance, such as the revegetation program at the surrounding areas of the Fremantle train line. To evaluate the effectiveness of this project, the author applied Solar and Long Wave Environmental Irradiance Geometry-model (SOLWEIG) with inputs from the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Geoscape, and Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Results demonstrate distinct differences between areas covered by trees and areas exposed to the sky. Urbanisation together with vegetation deterioration raises urban temperature significantly, but policy makers could prevent this occurrence via urban revegetation projects thanks to their effectiveness.

Keywords: Revegetation project; thermal comfort; urbanization; urban heat island