MICROCLIMATE VARIATION OF URBAN HEAT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTS: EVIDENCE FROM TIRANA

Abstract

Urbanization inherently disrupts the climate of cities, which results in localized zones of elevated temperatures and thermal discomfort. This phenomenon is known as the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI) and often has adverse effects on urban inhabitants. This study examines UHI from the eye-level perspective in two elementary schools in Tirana, Albania. The analysis focuses on identifying driving forces behind urban microclimates in school environments to inform potential solutions for more sustainable design and construction practices. UHI mitigation strategies are modeled and tested through software simulations on the most ubiquitous paving materials employed in Albania, solar exposure analysis, air pollutant dispersion, building physics, and green and blue technologies.