Optimizing Vegetation Configurations for Seasonal Thermal Comfort in Campus Courtyards: An ENVI-Met Study in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Climates
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Source: Plants
Authors: Hailu Qin, Bailing Zhou
Institution: Wuhan University of Science and Technology
Language: English
Topic: Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
OpenAlex ID: W4410893746