Morphological types and urban microclimate in Havana

Abstract

Problem: Potentialities for the adaptation of the urban habitat to the global warming depend on the urban morphology and the modifier elements.

Objective(s): To present the results of classifying the morphological types identified in Havana, according to variables and parameters conditioning their microclimate, as well as the preliminary assessment of their performance.

Methodology: The characterization, classification and qualitative assessment was made based on a theoretical research about morphological variables, parameters and indicators conditioning the thermal urban microclimate. The empiric step of the research was focused on verifying the qualitative assessment, by a field work and a preliminary monitoring campaign carried out in May, 2023, in six urban ones of the city. Continue measurements were also developed in each study case, as a reference point, and the results were compared to the data registered at the meteorological station.

Results and discussion: Although values ​​of the climatic variables air temperature, relative humidity, radiant temperature, wind speed and direction were recorded, this paper only presents the results the discussion of the temperatures behaviour.

Conclusions: The empirical research carried out allowed us to verify the validity of the criteria previously assumed for the qualitative evaluation, as well as the relative influence of variables such as aspect ratio, and modifiers such as orientation and vegetation.