Ilhas de calor urbanas e desigualdade socioespacial: efeitos do uso do solo e pavimentação no microclima

Abstract

Rapid urban growth in major Brazilian metropolises, such as Fortaleza, has led to transformations in the urban landscape, directly impacting the environment and the population's quality of life. One of the most significant effects of this process is the intensification of urban heat islands (UHIs), a phenomenon resulting from several factors, including: concentration of impermeable surfaces, use of materials with low reflectance, and scarcity of vegetation. In this context, this study aims to verify the influence of urban morphology, paving, and vegetation cover on the microclimate of areas with different profiles of social vulnerability. To this end, two road sections located along the 052 bus line – Grande Circular, in Fortaleza, were used as case studies. Microclimatic measurements were carried out in the field and simulations were performed using the ENVI-met software, including real and parametric scenarios with reflective pavement (albedo 0.25), increased vegetation, and a combination of both strategies. The results indicated that the section located in an area with a lower HDI (Human Development Index) presented higher air temperatures than the section in an area with a higher HDI throughout the day, with differences exceeding 4°C during peak heating hours. During the same period, a difference of approximately 16% was also observed in relative humidity values. The simulations indicated discrete reductions, on the order of tenths of a degree, more evident in the hybrid scenario, while the reflective pavement applied in isolation did not generate thermal improvement in the section with the lower HDI. It is concluded that microclimatic conditions reflect urban inequalities and that combined strategies of vegetation and reflective paving tend to perform better in mitigating urban warming.