Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy

The urban heat island (UHI) effect is among the most critical issues caused by human activities and high building density. UHI has severe impacts on the urban and natural environment as well as on human health and wellbeing. The research presented here aims at evaluating the effects of nature-based...

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Autores principales:	Francesca Mosca, Giulia Maria Dotti Sani, Andrea Giachetta, Katia Perini
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	nature-based solutions urban heat island (UHI) human wellbeing thermal comfort urban regeneration citizens’ perception Environmental effects of industries and plants TD194-195 Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Environmental sciences GE1-350
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/562df1c1b75848318daa7aa48629b2d2
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id	oai:doaj.org-article:562df1c1b75848318daa7aa48629b2d2
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:562df1c1b75848318daa7aa48629b2d22021-11-11T19:24:09ZNature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy10.3390/su1321116382071-1050https://doaj.org/article/562df1c1b75848318daa7aa48629b2d22021-10-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/21/11638https://doaj.org/toc/2071-1050The urban heat island (UHI) effect is among the most critical issues caused by human activities and high building density. UHI has severe impacts on the urban and natural environment as well as on human health and wellbeing. The research presented here aims at evaluating the effects of nature-based solutions (NBS) in improving the livability of a district in the city of Genoa, which is heavily cemented and a major example of the heat island phenomenon. This study focuses on the microclimatic benefits of urban heat island mitigation as well as on psychological and perceptual aspects. A preliminary analysis of the district through CFD simulations using Envi-met software allowed for selection of the most suitable areas for a system of punctual interventions in urban regeneration using nature-based solutions. For each area identified, we simulated the effects of different design scenarios on microclimate mitigation and thermal comfort improvement. In addition, to evaluate the perceptual benefits of the most well-performing design scenarios, we set up a web-based survey that was administered to a convenience sample of Genoa residents. In terms of aesthetic satisfaction and perception of improved conditions of physical and psychological well-being, the preferred design outcomes were those which emphasized a freer and more natural environment. This study shows that nature-based solutions can improve the overall conditions of dense urban areas; microclimate performance and psychological effects should be both considered in the design process in order to improve the wellbeing of urban citizens.Francesca MoscaGiulia Maria Dotti SaniAndrea GiachettaKatia PeriniMDPI AGarticlenature-based solutionsurban heat island (UHI)human wellbeingthermal comforturban regenerationcitizens’ perceptionEnvironmental effects of industries and plantsTD194-195Renewable energy sourcesTJ807-830Environmental sciencesGE1-350ENSustainability, Vol 13, Iss 11638, p 11638 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	nature-based solutions urban heat island (UHI) human wellbeing thermal comfort urban regeneration citizens’ perception Environmental effects of industries and plants TD194-195 Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Environmental sciences GE1-350
spellingShingle	nature-based solutions urban heat island (UHI) human wellbeing thermal comfort urban regeneration citizens’ perception Environmental effects of industries and plants TD194-195 Renewable energy sources TJ807-830 Environmental sciences GE1-350 Francesca Mosca Giulia Maria Dotti Sani Andrea Giachetta Katia Perini Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
description	The urban heat island (UHI) effect is among the most critical issues caused by human activities and high building density. UHI has severe impacts on the urban and natural environment as well as on human health and wellbeing. The research presented here aims at evaluating the effects of nature-based solutions (NBS) in improving the livability of a district in the city of Genoa, which is heavily cemented and a major example of the heat island phenomenon. This study focuses on the microclimatic benefits of urban heat island mitigation as well as on psychological and perceptual aspects. A preliminary analysis of the district through CFD simulations using Envi-met software allowed for selection of the most suitable areas for a system of punctual interventions in urban regeneration using nature-based solutions. For each area identified, we simulated the effects of different design scenarios on microclimate mitigation and thermal comfort improvement. In addition, to evaluate the perceptual benefits of the most well-performing design scenarios, we set up a web-based survey that was administered to a convenience sample of Genoa residents. In terms of aesthetic satisfaction and perception of improved conditions of physical and psychological well-being, the preferred design outcomes were those which emphasized a freer and more natural environment. This study shows that nature-based solutions can improve the overall conditions of dense urban areas; microclimate performance and psychological effects should be both considered in the design process in order to improve the wellbeing of urban citizens.
format	article
author	Francesca Mosca Giulia Maria Dotti Sani Andrea Giachetta Katia Perini
author_facet	Francesca Mosca Giulia Maria Dotti Sani Andrea Giachetta Katia Perini
author_sort	Francesca Mosca
title	Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
title_short	Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
title_full	Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
title_fullStr	Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
title_full_unstemmed	Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy
title_sort	nature-based solutions: thermal comfort improvement and psychological wellbeing, a case study in genoa, italy
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/562df1c1b75848318daa7aa48629b2d2
work_keys_str_mv	AT francescamosca naturebasedsolutionsthermalcomfortimprovementandpsychologicalwellbeingacasestudyingenoaitaly AT giuliamariadottisani naturebasedsolutionsthermalcomfortimprovementandpsychologicalwellbeingacasestudyingenoaitaly AT andreagiachetta naturebasedsolutionsthermalcomfortimprovementandpsychologicalwellbeingacasestudyingenoaitaly AT katiaperini naturebasedsolutionsthermalcomfortimprovementandpsychologicalwellbeingacasestudyingenoaitaly
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Nature-Based Solutions: Thermal Comfort Improvement and Psychological Wellbeing, a Case Study in Genoa, Italy

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