The impacts of greenery on urban climate and the options for use of thermal data in urban areas

Abstract

Urban greenery substantially influences the distribution of solar energy in urban areas and thus plays an irreplaceable role in creating local climate. This paper introduces the principles of urban vegetation functioning as a perfect air conditioning system that efficiently cools the environment and balances temperatures through evapotranspiration. It is based on the basic physics of energy transformation and known physiological processes of plants. We demonstrate the possibilities of quantification of the air conditioning role of vegetation in energy units, including the assessment and monetary quantification of ecosystem services and examples of different types of thermal data for assessing the urban environment and climate. We offer the possibility of implementing this approach to spatial planning.