Arborização urbana e conforto térmico: uma análise na Avenida Frei Serafim em Teresina-PI

Abstract

The organization of society in space and the expansion of cities transform the natural landscape, replacing green areas with buildings and contributing to the formation of Heat Islands, influencing thermal comfort. The study aims to measure the green area of a stretch of Frei Serafim Avenue, located in the city of Teresina - PI, in three segments, and to evaluate the influence of afforestation on thermal comfort. The study covered a stretch between Miguel Rosa Avenue and Quintino Bocaiúva Street. Three transects were allocated for the analysis of tree cover and microclimate monitoring at three moments (8:00, 12:00 and 16:00 hours) in the months of september, october e november 2023, and january 2024. Environmental indicators were used to assess thermal comfort. The Tree Shading Indicator was 24.61% and the Tree Density Indicator was 0.41%, both below the recommended levels for residential áreas (50% and one tree per 100 m², respectively). Thermal comfort and discomfort indices showed that temperatures were above comfortable levels, with the Thermal Comfort Indicator above 26 °C and the Thermal Discomfort Indicator above 28 °C at most times, depicting extreme discomfort. The tree deficit contributed to higher temperatures and the formation of Heat Islands, emphasizing the importance of vegetation in improving thermal comfort in urban areas.