Modeling the Role of Urban Green Spaces in Cooling Urban Environments: The Case of Villa Ada, Rome

Cities worldwide are facing the dual challenges of urban heat islands (UHIs) and the increasing frequency of heatwaves. Concrete and asphalt, combined with reduced vegetation, cause urban areas to retain more heat than their rural counterparts. This not only leads to discomfort but also poses significant health risks, including heat-related illnesses and increased mortality rates. Urban green spaces, such as parks, play a crucial role in mitigating UHI effects through shading and evapotranspiration, which help cool urban environments.

This study focuses on Villa Ada, a 160-hectare park in central Rome, characterized by relatively unmanaged vegetation. We aim to assess its effectiveness in reducing local UHI effects during a heatwave from October 8 to 10, 2023. Using the Parallelized Large-Eddy Simulation Model (PALM), we simulate three urban greenery scenarios: (1) replacement of the park with asphalt, (2) replacement of the park with short grass, and (3) replacement of short grass areas with trees featuring high leaf area density, representing the most adaptive scenario.

The preliminary results suggest that Villa Ada exerts a cooling effect on its immediate surroundings, with increased tree coverage leading to more substantial temperature reductions. These findings underscore the critical role of urban green spaces in mitigating UHI effects and highlight the importance of strategic urban planning that preserves and enhances such areas. Future research should explore the long-term impacts of different vegetation management strategies and their implications for urban climate resilience.