Strategies to reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) in contemporary residential projects in Baghdad

Donia Naseer Tareq; Sajeda Kadhum Al-kindy

doi:10.31648/aspal.11390

Published: 2025-12-30

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2025)

Strategies to reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) in contemporary residential projects in Baghdad

Donia Naseer Tareq , Sajeda Kadhum Al-kindy

Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.11390

Abstract

Motivation: The urban heat island (UHI) effect is one of the most significant challenges in contemporary urban environments, especially in hot, dry climates. In recent years, Baghdad has witnessed the development of 46 residential projects, highlighting the urgent need to examine the impact of (UHI) in modern residential projects and explore effective mitigation strategies. The research problem stems from the lack of local knowledge and studies in Iraq regarding (UHI) effect within modern residential projects.
Aim: The study aims to investigate the (UHI) phenomenon in Baghdad and explore strategies to mitigate its effect through implementation of afforestation, shading techniques, and the use of cool materials. The ENVI-MET simulation software was employed to assess the current situation and proposed development scenarios under the conditions of a hot summer day. A quantitative methodology was adopted. The findings showed that the scenario (C) led to a significant improvement in Potential Air Temperature values. Both scenarios (B and C) demonstrated a notable improvement in, Sky view factor (SVF) values, while the scenario (B) showed a considerable enhancement improvement in Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values.
Results: The study highlights the importance of integrating design strategies in residential projects to effectively mitigate the (UHI) effect.

Keywords:

urban heat island (UHI), ENVI-MET, Potential Air Temperature, Sky view factor (SVF), Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET)

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Donia Naseer Tareq, Sajeda Kadhum Al-kindy, Analysis thermal comfort in residential environments of hot-arid climates: a case study of Baghdad , Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum: Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025)

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Naseer Tareq, D., & Al-kindy, S. K. (2025). Strategies to reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) in contemporary residential projects in Baghdad. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 24(4), 655–665. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.11390

Cited by / Share

Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

References

Abbas Abd-Elrady Hassan, W. (2016). Intensity of Heat Islands of Main Cities of the Nile Delta: A Comparative Study in Urban Climatology Using Terra MODIS Visuals. Annals of the Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, 44(July-September (c)), 373–411.
Google Scholar

Abdulateef, M. F., & Al-Alwan, H. A. S. (2020). Assessment of surface urban heat island intensity and its causes in the city of Baghdad. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 745, 012162.
Crossref
Google Scholar

Al-Saffar, M. H. M., & Al_Siliq, G. M. R. (2014). The sustainable urban development in Al_Kharkh historic center. Journal of Engineering, 20(11), 1–28.
Crossref
Google Scholar

Al Sayyid, W., & Ali, S. H. (2022). Integration in Empowerment Strategies: Residential Investment as a Case Study. The Iraqi Journal of Architecture and Planning, 21(2), 95–115.
Crossref
Google Scholar

Alobaydi, D., Bakarman, M. A., & Obeidat, B. (2016). The impact of urban form configuration on the urban heat island: the case study of Baghdad, Iraq. Procedia Engineering, 145, 820–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.04.107
Crossref
Google Scholar

Alshammari, L. A., Ridha, S., & Al-Shammari, M. (2025). Monitoring the urban heat island effect in Baghdad using Sentinel-3 and OSM data integration for sustainable urban planning. Journal of Applied Engineering Science, 23(1), 151–164. https://doi.org/10.5937/jaes0-54589
Crossref
Google Scholar

AlTalebi, R. A., & Al-Bazzaz, I. (2018). Similarity and Difference between Sustainable and Green Architecture (a Comparative Study). Journal of Engineering, 24(12), 21–42. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2018.12.10
Crossref
Google Scholar

Hassan, M. F., & Al-Kindy, S. K. (2023). Success Criteria of Major Architectural Projects in Iraq. International Journal of Sustainable Development & Planning, 18(3), 857–863. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.180321
Crossref
Google Scholar

Heaviside, C., Macintyre, H., & Vardoulakis, S. (2017). The urban heat island: implications for health in a changing environment. Current Environmental Health Reports, 4, 296–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-017-0150-3
Crossref
Google Scholar

Heisler, G. M., & Brazel, A. J. (2010). The urban physical environment: Temperature and urban heat islands. Urban Ecosystem Ecology, 55, 29–56. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr55.c2
Crossref
Google Scholar

Husain, S. A. L., Alkindi, S. K., & Alwan, K. H. (2018). Efficient Cost Management in the Housing Projects. Journal of Engineering, 24(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2018.01.17
Crossref
Google Scholar

Jameel, S. M., & Hassan, S. A. (2022). Urban adaptation impact on outdoor thermal comfort in educational complexes. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 21(4), 529–538. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.7879
Crossref
Google Scholar

Jasim, O., Ali, A.-R. B., & Hamed, N. H. (2020). Urban expansion of Baghdad city and its impact on the formation of Thermal Island based upon Multi-Temporal Analysis of satellite images. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 737(1), 012215. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/737/1/012215
Crossref
Google Scholar

Khaza’al Hasson, S. I., & Dhumad, K. F. (2018). The effect of urban land use changing on green area neighborhoods No. 336 & 338 in Baghdad–Case Study. Journal of Engineering, 24(12), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2018.12.09
Crossref
Google Scholar

Mohammed, Y., & Salman, A. (2018). Effect of urban geometry and green area on the formation of the urban heat island in Baghdad city. MATEC Web of Conferences, 162, 05025. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201816205025
Crossref
Google Scholar

Najah, F. T., Abdullah, S. F. K., & Abdulkareem, T. A. (2023). Urban land use changes: Effect of green urban spaces transformation on urban heat islands in Baghdad. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 66, 555–571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.11.005
Crossref
Google Scholar

O’Malley, C., Piroozfarb, P. A. E., Farr, E. R. P., & Gates, J. (2014). An investigation into minimizing urban heat island (UHI) effects: A UK perspective. Energy Procedia, 62, 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.12.368
Crossref
Google Scholar

Salman, A. M., & Saleem, Y. M. (2021). The effect of Urban Heat Island mitigation strategies on outdoor human thermal comfort in the city of Baghdad. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 10(4), 838–856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.002
Crossref
Google Scholar

Shaheen, B. R., & Khalaf, S. F. (2009). The traditional solutions in the sustainable climatic adaptation and its employment in the contemporary housing. Journal of Engineering, 15(1), 584–604. https://doi.org/10.31026/j.eng.2009.01.01
Crossref
Google Scholar

Shalaby, A. S. (2011). Urban heat island and cities design: a conceptual framework of mitigation tools in hot‐arid regions. Journal of Urban Research, 8(1), 123–144. https://doi.org/10.21608/jur.2011.94276
Crossref
Google Scholar

Tareq, D. N., & Al-kindy, S. K. (2025). Analysis thermal comfort in residential environments of hot-arid climates: a case study of Baghdad. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Administratio Locorum, 24(2), 299–310. https://doi.org/10.31648/aspal.11080
Crossref
Google Scholar

Tawfeek, Y. Q., Jasim, F. H., & Al-Jiboori, M. H. (2020). A study of canopy urban heat island of Baghdad, Iraq. Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment, 14(3), 280–288. https://doi.org/10.5572/ajae.2020.14.3.280
Crossref
Google Scholar

Donia Naseer Tareq

donia.naseer2204d@coeng.uobaghdad.edu.iq

Affiliation:

University of Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

University of Baghdad, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, Al-Jadriya Campus, 60th Street, Baghdad 10071, P.O. Box: 47024, Iraq

Sajeda Kadhum Al-kindy

Affiliation:

University of Baghdad, Baghdad Iraq

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

University of Baghdad, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Architectural Engineering, Al-Jadriya Campus, 60th Street, Baghdad 10071, P.O. Box: 47024, Iraq