Abstract

LOPES, António; CORREIA, Ezequiel; NASCIMENTO, Judite M. Do  and  CANARIO, Paulo. Urban bioclimate and comfort assessment in the African city of Praia (Cape Verde). Finisterra [online]. 2014, n.98, pp.33-48. ISSN 0430-5027.

The population of Praia (Ilha de Santiago/Cape Verde) has recently increased from 90,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 132,300 in 2012. Located in the southern part of the Santiago Island, the city has an average temperature of 22ºC and high values of humidity. The hot and rainy season occurs between July and October. according to the Cape Verde “national Climate Change adaptation” report, the temperatures increased about 1ºC in the last 15 years and scenarios indicate an annual warming between 0.7 ºC and 2.5ºC until 2060. This will lead to the deterioration of bioclimatic comfort conditions, especially in urban areas. the main goals of this research are: i) to make a first-hand assessment of bioclimatic conditions and human comfort in the city of Praia; ii) to evaluate the main microclimatic and urban factors that increase thermal stress in a “planned” neighbourhood (Palmarejo). It was shown that “moderate and strong heat stress” (PET>29ºC) occurs between august and October. The rest of the year hardly any heat stress occurs (18ºC<PET<29ºC). In the Palmarejo neighbourhood, heat stress in hot days (PET>40ºC) happens especially in poorly ventilated streets, well exposed to the sun.

Keywords : Urban bioclimatology; thermal patterns; heat stress; PET; Praia; Cape Verde.

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