Exploring reconfiguration scenarios of high-density urban neighborhoods on urban temperature-The case of Tehran (Iran)

The urban climate affects the health and quality of life of the urban population. In cities, built structures and impermeable surfaces elevate the temperature relative to the surrounding countryside. Concerns over urban heat have intensified with the threats of climate change and rising global temperatures. In countries like Iran, which has been affected by these changes, water resources have declined and air temperatures have increased. Therefore, we need to redesign urban forms and re-plan urban landscapes to achieve an optimal form for facing future climate hazards. The Urban form also influences other factors like residence correlation and a neighborhood's sense of community. Both concerns are more significant in high-density urban sites, where there are fewer open spaces for residents and people live in a more crowded environment. The urban form of Iran-Tehran, influenced by developmental policies and the division of land into small plots, has resulted in a dense, heterogeneous, and irregular urban fabric with few open spaces, which are divided into very small parts. These small, fragmented open spaces are mostly used for parking lots. In recent years, rapid urban growth has intensified these problems, and the city has tried to find a better form for residential block development with more favorable and multifunctional open spaces. To this end, the paper examined impacts of one of the most probable options for development on temperature and urban heat. First, based on the proposed layout with a defined density, various possible climate-optimal forms were defined as scenarios of development. Then, their impact on urban heat was assessed by using the microclimate assessment software, ENVI-met. Outputs demonstrate the climatic influence of such changes in urban configurations and greening while highlighting the best development solution for multifunctional open spaces.