The microclimatic interaction of a small urban park with its surrounding urban environment: case study of projected impacts of urban densification focusing on heat events in Melbourne

This research aimed to evaluate the microclimate of an urban park and its effect on its surrounding urban environment. It also aimed to determine the optimal design of the urban park to improve human thermal comfort in the future, following urban densification. The results from this study clarified the role and importance of small urban parks in mitigating high temperatures during summer conditions. Results also confirmed that by optimising tree configuration inside the park, and undertaking strategic placement of trees in the surrounding urban canyons, levels of heat stress during heatwave conditions could be reduced to improve human thermal comfort.