Abstract:
Rapid urbanisation and climate change have intensified urban heat islands (UHI) and associated thermal discomfort, making accurate microclimate monitoring essential for sustainable urban development. Past research has classified urban areas into Local Climate Zones (LCZs), which represent a zone within an urban area with a distinctive climate. A typical LCZ is a few kilometres in size however, this approach may be insufficient for cities where land use and land cover (LULC) change abruptly over very short distances, as is the case in many developing countries. This study explores microclimatic variability due to varied LULC patterns within a university campus near Ahmedabad, India, where changes occur within just a few metres. The research utilises a custom-built, portable, sensor-equipped cart (WxCart) to perform mobile transect measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed at the pedestrian level. Sky view factor (SVF) was also measured using a fisheye lens. Measurements were conducted over a year to capture seasonal variations in microclimatic conditions across four distinct areas. The data was also used to calculate thermal comfort indices viz., the heat index (HI) and normal effective temperature (NET). Results reveal that closely situated areas exhibit distinct microclimatic differences due to diverse LULC patterns, with these differences persisting across seasons. Comparison with historical climatological averages from Ahmedabad underscores the distinctiveness of these microclimates. Statistical analyses further validate that both rapidly changing LULC and seasonal changes have significant impacts on local microclimatic conditions. The study introduces the concept of Local Microclimate Zones (LMZs) as a refined approach for characterising microclimates at very short spatial scales, complementing the framework of LCZs. By highlighting the importance of detailed microclimate analysis in urban planning, this research supports the development of climate-responsive outdoor spaces and contributes valuable insights for urban heat adaptation strategies.