Identification of thermal hotspots through heat index determination and urban heat island mitigation using ENVImet numerical micro climate model

Achieving environmental sustainability by improving the urban microclimate is a key principle in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This study aimed to (a) investigate the outdoor thermal comfort by establishing Heat Index (HI) values to identify thermal hot spots and (b) model green infrastructure possibilities to alleviate UHI in Colombo urban metropolitan in Sri Lanka using ENVImet climate model. Daytime temperature and humidity values of 14 urban locations were collected to determine HI to recognize thermal urban hotspots in Colombo area. A pretested comprehensive random-stratified questionnaire survey has been conducted to appraise the thermal discernment of the general public. ENVImet microclimate model was accompanied to test the temperature reduction levels in different bioclimatic green infrastructure scenarios [Two belts (R1), three belts (R2), four belts (R3), five belts (R4)] in the selected study site. Five sites (Borella, Colombo Fort, Maradana, Wellawaththa, Liberty junction) were identified as thermal hotspots in Colombo metropolitan. HI values were fluctuated within 33.82–40.35 °C range and the highest average day time HI value was observed at Maradana (40.35 °C) and the lowest HI was observed at Thummulla (33.82 °C). Survey results revealed that 89.3% people are affected with thermal uncomfortability and 5% were affected with heat-related skin diseases. Inserting trees into curbsides (R4) reduced temperature remarkably by 2.07 °C in the urban metropolitan. Therefore, the proposed green infrastructure scenario has proved to be the most suitable way to improve the thermal comfort conditions of urban environment, as it can reduce the UHI effects.