Study on the relationship between summer microclimate and human thermal comfort in urban waterfront parks–Longzi Lake Park in Zhengzhou city as an example

• Published in: Landscape and ecological engineering Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 341 - 356
• Main Authors: Junfeng, Zhang, Nuo, Wang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Springer Japan 01.04.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air temperature; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cities; Civil Engineering; cooling; Environmental Management; heat; Heat stress; Heat tolerance; humans; Humidification; Lakes; Landscape Ecology; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; landscapes; Life Sciences; Measuring instruments; Microclimate; Nature Conservation; Original Paper; Parks; Parks & recreation areas; Plant Ecology; Radiation; recreation; Relative humidity; Shading; Solar radiation; Summer; Temperature gradients; Thermal comfort; Urban planning; Waterfronts; Wind direction; Wind speed; Thermal comfort; Riparian park; Microclimate; Physiological equivalent temperature
• ISSN: 1860-1871; 1860-188X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11355-025-00644-x

As key urban infrastructures, urban lakeside parks are vital recreation and leisure spaces for city residents. However, creating a comfortable microclimate in these parks is challenging, particularly in cities with scorching summers and significant diurnal temperature differences, such as Zhengzhou (characterised by hot and humid summers). Addressing this challenge is a critical objective in urban planning, as it directly affects the well-being and park usage of residents. From July 11 to 16,2023, Longzi Lake Park was taken as the research object, and the peak period of crowd activity from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. was selected for observing tourists behaviour. During this period, the microclimate factors, including air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, were continuously observed by measuring instruments at a height of 1.5 m from the ground. The research indicates several key findings: (1) Both solar radiation and air temperature significantly affect human thermal comfort in the park. As solar radiation intensifies, individuals experience the most comfortable thermal sensations in fully shaded areas. Hence, it can be noted that provision of shading is an important factor in reducing heat stress. (2) The presence of water bodies also significantly enhances thermal comfort during the summer months. Water features contribute to a cooling and humidifying effect, and improved thermal comfort levels in water-adjacent areas. Therefore, park visitors tend to seek out waterside spaces for activities and relief from the heat. (3) The study identifies a negative correlation between PET (Physiologically Equivalent Temperature) and the number of visitors with tendency to visit waterside areas. This suggests that the perception of thermal comfort is affected by the type of activity, with park visitors engaged in physical exercises appearing to be reduced.