Adiabatic cooling systems as a tool for improving thermal comfort in outdoor urban spaces

In the context of current climate change, extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent. These events have a particularly severe impact in urban environments due to the urban heat island effect. Providing thermal comfort for people using open public spaces requires localised cooling strategies, particularly in areas with high footfall, such as transport hubs, squares and promenades. Adiabatic cooling is a promising solution as it can lower air temperatures in an energy-efficient manner with relatively low environmental impact. This article provides an overview of current adiabatic outdoor cooling systems, assessing their energy, economic and environmental efficiency and considering various options for achieving comfortable temperatures. Particular attention is paid to integrating systems with renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and to determining the optimal 'cooling point' at which the system can operate autonomously, without the need for additional electrical power. The results demonstrate that, when properly sized and designed, adiabatic cooling systems can significantly enhance thermal comfort in urban outdoor spaces while minimising energy consumption. This represents a promising adaptive strategy in response to increasingly frequent urban heatwaves. The paper provides practical design guidelines and lays the groundwork for further research into the sustainable cooling of occupied outdoor spaces.