Microscale models and urban heat island studies: a systematic review

Urban climate analysis usually uses data from weather stations, traverse, or satellite images. However, this methodology also has its limitations, since the series of data for climate monitoring can be scarce. Another option that has been earning attention in recent years is numeric models, which perform simulations in urban climate. Obtaining climate data is extremely important for climatology, as well as for related areas, such as urban planning, which uses this data to know how to best order the territory according to climate conditions and their projections. Our study aimed to carry out a literature review regarding urban heat island analysis methodologies, with emphasis on the use of models. We evaluated over 200 scientific documents and we used 68 in the results of this work, reporting different types of models. The results indicated that most of the works on urban climate use a more traditional methodological approach, with fieldwork, whereas studies with models have been carried out in a specific way, especially in cities in the northern hemisphere. Among the articles evaluated, the majority were published in Elsevier publisher journals, which have a more interdisciplinary approach. The most studied models were ENVI-met, SOLWEIG, PALM-4U, RayMan, and TEB. In this way, this work pointed out, unlike other works of review in urban climate methodologies, the difficulty in obtaining field data, emphasizing their importance, with regard to studies of urban heat islands and urban planning. We also conclude that the progress and development of the state of the art in numerical models are conditioned to scientific investment in the area.

Automated summary

This study conducted a literature review on urban heat island analysis methodologies, with a focus on the use of models. The results showed that traditional fieldwork methods are more commonly used in urban climate studies, while model research tends to be specific to certain regions, especially cities in the northern hemisphere. The difficulty of obtaining field data was highlighted as an important consideration for urban heat island and urban planning research.