A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE THE THERMAL COMFORT IN TIRANAS’ URBAN SPACES: SKANDERBEG SQUARE

Abstract

Due to the rapid and ever-growing urbanization of the city of Tirana, the Urban Heat Island effect, that is the city’s unavoidable curse, has been affecting the inhabitants lives by preventing them to frequent outdoor activities due to the unbearable temperatures and discomfort. To address this issue many cities have already put in place implementations that have helped mitigate the issue even if by just a little bit. After analysing and studying various case studies and related literature from different countries around the world, we can see that every country cools down their public spaces by different methods and designs according to its respective climate and culture. After having studied some good practices, this research aims to select an effective combination of materials, shapes and cooling methods, in order to design an urban installation to be potentially implemented in the central square of Tirana, the Skanderbeg Square. After a deep analysis of the outcomes of case studies, the factors contributing to their success were identified and similarly, the eventual limitations in performing at their best. This thesis acknowledges the current discomfort that pedestrians experience while walking through Skanderbeg Square or even while doing each activity during the summer season and aims to lower the Urban Heat Island effect to make it more comfortable for the users.