Assessment of measured and perceived microclimates within a tropical urban forest

A study of the Singapore Botanic Gardens reveals that urban greenery significantly affects both measured and perceived microclimates, with variations in land cover influencing thermal comfort. While humidity was universally deemed uncomfortable, most visitors reported feeling comfortable overall. The research used objective measurements—such as air temperature, vapor pressure, wind velocity, and globe temperatures—to derive thermal comfort indices (e.g., THI, PET, WBGT) across four distinct sites over two monsoonal seasons. Concurrent surveys of 1573 park users highlighted perceived discomfort due to heat, humidity, and low wind, with stronger correlations observed among more acclimated respondents. The findings underscore the importance of vegetation canopy characteristics in mitigating outdoor thermal stress in tropical urban forests.

Chow, W. T. L., Akbar, S. N. ’. B. A., Heng, S. L., & Roth, M. (2016). Assessment of measured and perceived microclimates within a tropical urban forest. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 16, 62–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.01.010