The Role of Park Cooling Island (PCI) in Mitigating Urban Heat Island (UHI)

This paper aims to build a framework for investigating the impact of park design elements on the Urban Heat Island (UHI) intensity. The research uses a multi-methodological approach that includes analytical literature and case study analysis. Nine parameters were investigated within the research that have the most significant impact on reducing the intensity of the UHI. Those elements are divided into two categories: the first includes elements of the park such as the ratio of vegetation, the canopy of trees, the size of the park, the Albedo level of the hardscape material and vegetation type. The second is the surrounding fabric building materials of the park, the urban morphology, the Sky View Factor (SVF), and the height-to-width ratio. The percentage of vegetation and the green type is the main cause of the cooling effect of parks, the location is the second main cause of the cooling effect. The results showed that the nine parameters can increase the Park Cooling Island (PCI), which helps maintain a relatively cooler temperature when considering the design of the park, which can reduce the harmful effects of the UHI on both the natural environment and the physical well-being of the people.