The urban microclimate: a thermal construction of socio-environmental imprints (reforesting cities)

Mariami Maghlakelidze

Anthropogenic land-use changes, driven by rapid urban expansion and rising population pressures, have significantly exacerbated climate change, intensifying the urban heat island effect (UHI) and raising levels of airborne pollutants. Global forests, indispensable carbon sinks that sequester up to approximately 7.6 gigatons of CO₂ annually, play a vital role in moderating local microclimates through evapotranspiration, wind, and albedo modulation, enhancing thermal comfort, improving air quality, and supporting ecological and human well-being. However, their extensive decline throughout the Anthropocene has substantially heightened urban vulnerability to a spectrum of environmental and climatic stressors. This study employs a comparative framework utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to assess the efficacy of reforestation and forest structural designs in reducing land surface temperature (LST), increasing evapotranspiration, and generating localized 'urban cool islands'. Supporting integrative climate adaptation strategies that alleviate climate-driven heat stress while fostering urban resilience and ecological integrity.

Presentations:

From point to network: designing Turin's future through its rivers
Jowita Aleksandra Tabak and Riccardo Ronzani

Cities, Infrastructure and Adaptation to Climate Change (CIAM Climate)
Renato Luiz Sobral Anelli and Ana Paula Koury

Revaluation of the industrial landscape for the urban regeneration of the city of Tumán, 2023
Aurora Isabel Marchena Tafur

Are biogardens a strategy to reduce heat stress in desert climates possible?: Case of Portada de Manchay II, Peru
Loyde Vieira de Abreu Harbich, Jose Pajuelo, Perola Felipette Brocaneli and Andre Luiz Nery Figueiredo

Urban microclimates: thermal constructions of socio-environmental imprints
Mariami Maghlakelidze

Free

Registration

Registrations must be made here.

Selection will be made in order of registration.

Registration will be open until the start of the activity, on site, as long as there are spaces available.

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (10.10)

2:30 pm – table Risk-Free Periphery in the Context of Climate Change

4pm – table Knowing to Transform: Community Climate Risk Reduction and Adaptation Plans

6:30 pm – table Inclusive Adaptation: Nature-Based Solutions in the Peripheries

9am – Drawing Workshop: Oscar Niemeyer's Architecture in Ibirapuera Park and the Climate Challenge

IN THE NEXT DAYS (11 to 14.10)

ATTENTION the table Palmas: For 36 years, the ecological capital of Tocantins which would be held on 10/11 | 7pm was canceled.

11.10 and 12.10 | 9am – workshop Inventa(rio) Fronteiras: Playing for Multispecies Cities

11.10 | 10am – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 11am – table Learning to inhabit the Anthropocene: the crisis of architecture

11.10 | 2pm – table Architecture for Learning and Civic Use

11.10 | 3pm – table Culture and Public Architecture

11.10 – 15h – workshop Elémenterre teaching bag

11.10 | 4pm – table Reconnecting with Nature & Circular Design

11.10 | 5pm – table Architecture of Belonging: Interpreting Heritage Through Place

12.10 | 10am – table Experience: Climate Refuges and Naturalized Public Spaces, with Eco-Neighborhood

12.10 | 10:30 am – table Childhoods and Climate: Climate Justice in Vulnerable Territories

12.10 | 10:30 am – Windsock Workshop with the Floating Collective 

12.10 | 3pm – table Doing a lot with a little: architectures for a planet in transition with Esteban Benavides from Al Borde office

12.10 | 4:30 pm – table Earth – building a sustainable and democratic future 

12.10 | 6pm – table Living With – French Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and AJAP – Albums of Young Architects and Landscape Architects

13.10 – activity Pantanal Action at IABsp

10/14 | 10am – table Urgent Panorama! Space as an act of permanence

14.10 | 6pm – Launch of the “Nature-Based Education” Guide

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

And there's much more until October 19th!

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.