The use of Envi-Met for the assessment of nature-based solutions’ potential benefits in industrial parks—A case study of Argales Industrial Park (Valladolid, Spain)

Abstract

Urbanization causes major changes in environmental systems, including those related with radiation balances and other meteorological conditions because of changes in surfaces and the physical environment. In addition, cities generate specific microclimates as a consequence of the diverse conditions within the urban fabric. Industrial parks represent vast urban areas, often neglected, contributing to the degradation of the urban environment, including poor thermal comfort as a result of soil sealing and low albedo surfaces. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) can promote the mitigation of the anthropic effects of urbanization using nature as an inspiration. The present study, aimed at estimating the microclimate conditions in a fraction of the Argales industrial park in the city of Valladolid (Spain), with the use of the ENVI-Met software, assesses the current situation and a planned NBS scenario. Base scenario simulation results demonstrate different conditions across the simulations, with higher temperatures on sun-exposed surfaces with low albedo, and lower temperature spots, mostly associated with shadowed areas near existent buildings. After the simulation of the NBS scenario, the results show that, when compared with the base scenario, the projected air temperature changes reach reductions of up to 4.30 °C for the locations where changes are projected from impervious low albedo surfaces to shaded areas in the vicinity of trees and a water body.