Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates
This study investigated the synergistic effects of vegetation configurations and microclimate factors on seasonal thermal comfort in a semi-enclosed university courtyard in Wuhan, located in China’s Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone (Köppen: Cfa, humid subtropical). By adopting a field measure...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1670 |
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| author | Hailu Qin Bailing Zhou |
| author_facet | Hailu Qin Bailing Zhou |
| author_sort | Hailu Qin |
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| description | This study investigated the synergistic effects of vegetation configurations and microclimate factors on seasonal thermal comfort in a semi-enclosed university courtyard in Wuhan, located in China’s Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone (Köppen: Cfa, humid subtropical). By adopting a field measurement–simulation–validation framework, spatial parameters and annual microclimate data were collected using laser distance meters and multifunctional environmental sensors. A validated ENVI-met model (grid resolution: 2 m × 2 m × 2 m, verified by field measurements for microclimate parameters) simulated 15 vegetation scenarios with varying planting patterns, evergreen–deciduous ratios (0–100%), and ground covers. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index quantified thermal comfort improvements relative to the baseline. The optimal grid-based mixed planting configuration (40% evergreen trees + 60% deciduous trees) significantly improved winter thermal comfort by raising the PET from 9.24 °C to 15.42 °C (66.98% increase) through windbreak effects while maintaining summer thermal stability with only a 1.94% PET increase (34.60 °C to 35.27 °C) via enhanced transpiration and airflow regulation. This study provides actionable guidelines for climate-responsive courtyard design, emphasizing adaptive vegetation ratios and spatial geometry alignment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d2b92efc2b54306b7e77315f08cbb41 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-7747 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Plants |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d2b92efc2b54306b7e77315f08cbb412025-08-20T02:23:07ZengMDPI AGPlants2223-77472025-05-011411167010.3390/plants14111670Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter ClimatesHailu Qin0Bailing Zhou1School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, ChinaSchool of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430065, ChinaThis study investigated the synergistic effects of vegetation configurations and microclimate factors on seasonal thermal comfort in a semi-enclosed university courtyard in Wuhan, located in China’s Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone (Köppen: Cfa, humid subtropical). By adopting a field measurement–simulation–validation framework, spatial parameters and annual microclimate data were collected using laser distance meters and multifunctional environmental sensors. A validated ENVI-met model (grid resolution: 2 m × 2 m × 2 m, verified by field measurements for microclimate parameters) simulated 15 vegetation scenarios with varying planting patterns, evergreen–deciduous ratios (0–100%), and ground covers. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) index quantified thermal comfort improvements relative to the baseline. The optimal grid-based mixed planting configuration (40% evergreen trees + 60% deciduous trees) significantly improved winter thermal comfort by raising the PET from 9.24 °C to 15.42 °C (66.98% increase) through windbreak effects while maintaining summer thermal stability with only a 1.94% PET increase (34.60 °C to 35.27 °C) via enhanced transpiration and airflow regulation. This study provides actionable guidelines for climate-responsive courtyard design, emphasizing adaptive vegetation ratios and spatial geometry alignment.https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1670outdoor thermal comfortvegetation configurationENVI-met simulationsubtropical monsoon climatecourtyard microclimatephysiological equivalent temperature |
| spellingShingle | Hailu Qin Bailing Zhou Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates Plants outdoor thermal comfort vegetation configuration ENVI-met simulation subtropical monsoon climate courtyard microclimate physiological equivalent temperature |
| title | Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates |
| title_full | Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates |
| title_short | Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates |
| title_sort | optimizing vegetation configurations for seasonal thermal comfort in campus courtyards an envi met study in hot summer and cold winter climates |
| topic | outdoor thermal comfort vegetation configuration ENVI-met simulation subtropical monsoon climate courtyard microclimate physiological equivalent temperature |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/11/1670 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hailuqin optimizingvegetationconfigurationsforseasonalthermalcomfortincampuscourtyardsanenvimetstudyinhotsummerandcoldwinterclimates AT bailingzhou optimizingvegetationconfigurationsforseasonalthermalcomfortincampuscourtyardsanenvimetstudyinhotsummerandcoldwinterclimates |