AI–IoT-Enabled Microclimate Regulation: Designing Climate-Resilient Parks and Plazas

Public open spaces like parks and plazas are essential for urban livability, ecosystem services, public health, and social interaction, yet they are increasingly threatened by urban heat islands, intensifying heatwaves, and thermal discomfort driven by climate change. Traditional mitigation strategies, such as high-albedo surfaces, isolated tree planting, and static shading, often yield limited, context-specific benefits due to their inability to adapt to spatial–temporal microclimate variability, dynamic weather, occupancy fluctuations, and maintenance challenges. This chapter investigates the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things in enabling adaptive, predictive, and equitable microclimate regulation. Through a qualitative case study approach, it analyzes three global implementations: Singapore’s Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park (nature-based with targeted digital support), Seoul’s Smart City Plaza Network (real-time adaptive control in high-density settings), and Barcelona’s Superilla climate-smart plazas (advanced digital twin optimization). Results show consistent improvements over static methods: operational temperature reductions of 2–4 °C (modeled radiant temperature drops up to 12 °C), 25–40% savings in water and energy, extended comfortable usage, and greater social inclusivity. Digital twins reduce design risks through scenario testing, while Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things enable proactive, forecast-informed control of shading, misting, irrigation, and ventilation. Challenges include high costs, sensor reliability, privacy concerns, cybersecurity, interoperability, and potential digital divides. The chapter concludes that scalable, resilient urban public spaces require context-sensitive integration of ecological design with intelligent digital systems, ethical governance, and long-term evaluation to ensure equitable benefits in a warming climate.