Urban Greenery for Health: Mitigating Heat Stress in the UAE Labor Settlements

This study examines the impact of urban greenery on mitigating heat stress in labor settlements in Dubai, using parametric simulations in the Rhino/Grasshopper framework. The study assesses the impact of tree shape, park dimensions, and building spacing on the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) through the integration of Ladybug and Honeybee tools. Key findings indicate that tree geometry significantly influences thermal comfort, with elliptical and spherical canopies decreasing UTCI by roughly 3 to 4°C for each 10% increase in canopy density, whereas palm trees have minimal cooling capacity due to their thin foliage and height. Multi-variable optimization determined optimal tree density ranges (5 to 7 trees per 200 m²) and park size ratios (H/W up to 1:5) for optimal cooling effect. The surface temperature predictions were validated using on-site infrared thermography, yielding a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.72°C for asphalt and 3.34°C for pavement, thereby affirming the dependability of the simulation framework. The findings provide practical recommendations for urban planners and landscape specialists to enhance climate resilience and thermal comfort in labor settlements in Dubai, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for climate action and urban sustainability. This study presents an optimization approach that evaluates the crown geometries of tree-native species and improves the predicted accuracy of UTCI mitigation tactics in hot-arid regions using greenery and passive strategies.