Urban microclimatic conditions in arid climates

It is a well-known fact that different design characteristics applied to urban spaces, such as streets, public squares and parking lots can generate completely different microclimatic thermal conditions. In this chapter, a comparison among different outdoor urban spaces in an arid climate is presented, in which the effect of vegetation on microclimatic conditions and thermal comfort is highlighted. Surface temperature measurements, as well as climatic parameters within the space limits are described and studied to show the vegetation's thermal effect on microclimatic conditions in outdoor spaces. The effects of different characteristics of the outdoor spaces on microclimatic variables are discussed.Finally, microclimatic conditions of outdoor spaces around low-cost dwellings in a desert city are analyzed: entrance, backyard, and outdoor laundry spaces. Design characteristics and common improvements in these spaces are described, such as the use of different shadow devices and the change in pavement materials. The impact of thermal design features in these spaces on the energy consumption of buildings is also shown.