Applications of Models and Tools for Mesoscale and Microscale Thermal Analysis in Mid-Latitude Climate Regions

Lobaccaro, GabrieleDe Ridder, KoenAcero, Juan AngelHooyberghs, HansLauwaet, DirkMaiheu, BinoSharma, RichaGovehovitch, Benjamin2021-11-10Lobaccaro , G , De Ridder , K , Acero , J A , Hooyberghs , H , Lauwaet , D , Maiheu , B , Sharma , R & Govehovitch , B 2021 , ' Applications of Models and Tools for Mesoscale and Microscale Thermal Analysis in Mid-Latitude Climate Regions—A Review ' , Sustainability , vol. 13 , no. 22 , 12385 , pp. 12385 . https://doi.org/10.3390/su1322123852071-1050researchoutputwizard: 11556/1308Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Urban analysis at different spatial scales (micro- and mesoscale) of local climate conditions is required to test typical artificial urban boundaries and related climate hazards such as high temperatures in built environments. The multitude of finishing materials and sheltering objects within built environments produce distinct patterns of different climate conditions, particularly during the daytime. The combination of high temperatures and intense solar radiation strongly perturb the environment by increasing the thermal heat stress at the pedestrian level. Therefore, it is becoming common practice to use numerical models and tools that enable multiple design and planning alternatives to be quantitatively and qualitatively tested to inform urban planners and decision-makers. These models and tools can be used to compare the relationships between the micro-climatic environment, the subjective thermal assessment, and the social behaviour, which can reveal the attractiveness and effectiveness of new urban spaces and lead to more sustainable and liveable public spaces. This review article presents the applications of selected environmental numerical models and tools to predict human thermal stress at the mesoscale (e.g., satellite thermal images and UrbClim) and the microscale (e.g., mobile measurements, ENVI-met, and UrbClim HR) focusing on case study cities in mid-latitude climate regions framed in two European research projects.143829854enginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessApplications of Models and Tools for Mesoscale and Microscale Thermal Analysis in Mid-Latitude Climate Regions—A Reviewjournal article10.3390/su132212385HeatwavesUrban heat islandMesoscaleMicroscaleMicroclimate modellingThermal stressAntwerpBilbaoParisRomeMontpellierDelhiMid-latitude climate regionsHeatwavesUrban heat islandMesoscaleMicroscaleMicroclimate modellingThermal stressAntwerpBilbaoParisRomeMontpellierDelhiMid-latitude climate regionsHeatwaveComputer Science (miscellaneous)Geography, Planning and DevelopmentRenewable Energy, Sustainability and the EnvironmentBuilding and ConstructionEnvironmental Science (miscellaneous)Energy Engineering and Power TechnologyHardware and ArchitectureComputer Networks and CommunicationsManagement, Monitoring, Policy and LawSDG 13 - Climate ActionSDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 17 - Partnerships for the GoalsProject IDinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/308497/EU/Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation, and Sustainable Development for Cities/RAMSESinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/73004/EU/PUCSinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/308497/EU/Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation, and Sustainable Development for Cities/RAMSESinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/73004/EU/PUCSFunding InfoThe work leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 308497, Project RAMSES—Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation, and Sustainable Development for Cities (2012–2017) _x000D_ and from the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 73004_x000D_ (PUCS/Climate-fit.city). _x000D_ The APC was funded by the Research Group of Building and Technology, De partment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyThe work leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 308497, Project RAMSES—Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation, and Sustainable Development for Cities (2012–2017) _x000D_ and from the European Union’s H2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 73004_x000D_ (PUCS/Climate-fit.city). _x000D_ The APC was funded by the Research Group of Building and Technology, De partment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technologyhttp://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119185202&partnerID=8YFLogxK