Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants

The paper examines the bioclimatic contribution of urban gardening through the use of aromatic and medicinal plants, proposing an innovative approach to urban design. The research aims to evaluate the role of these plants in improving the urban microclimate, focusing on their ability to reduce tempe...

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Main Authors: K. Maknea, N.Thymakis, J.N. Tzortzi, A.C. Asanica
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences 2024-12-01
Series:Romanian Journal of Horticulture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://romanianjournalofhorticulture.ro/index.php/RJH/article/view/119/109
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author K. Maknea
N.Thymakis
J.N. Tzortzi
A.C. Asanica
author_facet K. Maknea
N.Thymakis
J.N. Tzortzi
A.C. Asanica
author_sort K. Maknea
collection DOAJ
description The paper examines the bioclimatic contribution of urban gardening through the use of aromatic and medicinal plants, proposing an innovative approach to urban design. The research aims to evaluate the role of these plants in improving the urban microclimate, focusing on their ability to reduce temperature, increase relative humidity, and contribute to the creation of a synergistic ecosystem that attracts beneficial insects. The methodology involved experimental research at eight sites in Thessaloniki, where temperature, humidity, and solar radiation were recorded. At the sites with aromatic and medicinal plants, a temperature reduction of 10-15% was observed compared to the non-planted areas. Significant improvement was recorded in areas simulating balconies, where potted plants led to a temperature reduction of 5-10%. Furthermore, areas with dense vegetation and water features showed greater humidity, while air circulation was limited, creating adverse thermal comfort conditions. In locations with small arrangements of aromatic plants, a reduction in discomfort perception of up to 26% was observed. The study highlights the innovative potential of integrating aromatic and medicinal plants into urban design for improving the microclimate. Replacing grass in public spaces and using these plants on vertical and horizontal surfaces can improve thermal comfort, aesthetic value, and attract beneficial insects, such as bees.
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issn 2734-7656
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences
record_format Article
series Romanian Journal of Horticulture
spelling doaj-art-47fc90a74b5449d8a160fd68ec8965422025-08-20T03:16:31ZengAcademy of Agricultural and Forestry SciencesRomanian Journal of Horticulture2734-76562734-80832024-12-0155515810.51258/RJH.2024.06Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plantsK. Maknea0N.Thymakis1J.N. Tzortzi2A.C. Asanica3Administrative Region of Central, Thessaloniki, GreeceCenter of Agricultural Training, Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, Hellenic Agricultural Organization Dimitra, Thermi, Thessaloniki, GreecePolitecnico Milano, Milano, ItalyUniversity of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest,RomaniaThe paper examines the bioclimatic contribution of urban gardening through the use of aromatic and medicinal plants, proposing an innovative approach to urban design. The research aims to evaluate the role of these plants in improving the urban microclimate, focusing on their ability to reduce temperature, increase relative humidity, and contribute to the creation of a synergistic ecosystem that attracts beneficial insects. The methodology involved experimental research at eight sites in Thessaloniki, where temperature, humidity, and solar radiation were recorded. At the sites with aromatic and medicinal plants, a temperature reduction of 10-15% was observed compared to the non-planted areas. Significant improvement was recorded in areas simulating balconies, where potted plants led to a temperature reduction of 5-10%. Furthermore, areas with dense vegetation and water features showed greater humidity, while air circulation was limited, creating adverse thermal comfort conditions. In locations with small arrangements of aromatic plants, a reduction in discomfort perception of up to 26% was observed. The study highlights the innovative potential of integrating aromatic and medicinal plants into urban design for improving the microclimate. Replacing grass in public spaces and using these plants on vertical and horizontal surfaces can improve thermal comfort, aesthetic value, and attract beneficial insects, such as bees.https://romanianjournalofhorticulture.ro/index.php/RJH/article/view/119/109aromatic medicinal plantsurban microclimateurban and bioclimatic designlandscape architectureurban horticulture
spellingShingle K. Maknea
N.Thymakis
J.N. Tzortzi
A.C. Asanica
Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
Romanian Journal of Horticulture
aromatic medicinal plants
urban microclimate
urban and bioclimatic design
landscape architecture
urban horticulture
title Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
title_full Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
title_fullStr Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
title_full_unstemmed Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
title_short Improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
title_sort improvement of the urban microclimate with aromatic and medicinal plants
topic aromatic medicinal plants
urban microclimate
urban and bioclimatic design
landscape architecture
urban horticulture
url https://romanianjournalofhorticulture.ro/index.php/RJH/article/view/119/109
work_keys_str_mv AT kmaknea improvementoftheurbanmicroclimatewitharomaticandmedicinalplants
AT nthymakis improvementoftheurbanmicroclimatewitharomaticandmedicinalplants
AT jntzortzi improvementoftheurbanmicroclimatewitharomaticandmedicinalplants
AT acasanica improvementoftheurbanmicroclimatewitharomaticandmedicinalplants