The Effect of Green Spaces on the Reality of Climate Change in Arid and Hot Areas

Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: suaad.ridha@gmail.com

Abstract

Urban green spaces provide substantial environmental, ecological, and cultural benefits, such as biodiversity preservation and enhancement of human well-being. Green spaces play a crucial role in improving environmental quality, reducing pollution, and mitigating the occurrence of dust storms and droughts in arid regions. Green spaces and afforestation enhance thermal comfort and mitigate the effects of sunlight on ground and wall surfaces. This research aims to investigate the effects of green areas and afforestation on environmental enhancement in urban areas characterized by hot and dry climates. It focuses on the roles of increased oxygen production, atmospheric cooling, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, and the provision of shade through trees. Baghdad exemplifies a hot and arid environment, characterized by an extended summer extending seven months with temperatures exceeding 50°C. Two proposed models were developed for a virtual metropolis under actual climatic circumstances, featuring the peak summer temperatures to examine the effects of green spaces and afforestation on Baghdad. A simulation was conducted to evaluate the two virtual cities exhibiting distinct afforestation patterns utilizing ENVI-met Software (Version 2023). The simulation results indicated that the second proposed model, which allocates afforestation and green spaces to encompass open areas, significantly diminishes sunlight exposure to floors and roofs, achieving a sky view factor of less than 5 at 91%, in contrast to 43.2% in the standard model. The research concluded that it is essential to choose the appropriate type of trees and green spaces that provide shade and whose leaves and branches contribute to obstructing the passage of sunlight to the surfaces, which contributes to reducing thermal stress and improving thermal sensation in hot and dry areas.