Arborização e Conforto Térmico no Espaço Urbano: Estudo de Caso em Praças Públicas em Pombal-PB.

Abstract

The degradation of the environment every day is becoming a worrying case for the world population. This degradation is the result of several environmental problems whether caused by natural means are by human actions. An example is the growth of cities has caused changes in land cover, replacing the native vegetation by concrete and asphalt, waterproofing the soil and increasing population density. Removal of green areas has caused thermal discomfort in the cities. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the thermal comfort provided by afforestation in urban areas, held in public squares in Pombal - PB. They were chosen the square located in the city center and the other near the BR-427. For the monitoring of meteorological variables we used a digital and portable equipment. Data were collected from October 2012 to June 2013, the times of 06:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 22:00. The meteorological variables were: temperature, relative humidity and wind speed. The data showed significant differences in mean values of the variables. The higher relative humidity values of air were recorded in Centenary Square. The temperature range of the summer was 6 ° C higher in the tree-lined square not compared the tree-lined square. The results in the streets indicated that Thom Discomfort Index is suitable for assessing the level of human thermal comfort in semi-arid areas. The results showed the importance of trees to maintain thermal comfort, especially in semi-arid areas.