THE MICROCLIMATIC RESPONSE OF VEGETATION IN HDB ESTATES

Abstract

The existence of higher air temperatures in urban areas compared to the rural areas, has been well documented in many studies. This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island and is attributed mainly to the differences in the urban-rural cooling rates as a consequence of urbanization. The objective of this study is to examine this phenomenon in nine HDB estates as well as to ascertain the impact of vegetation and assess its relative importance on the magnitude of the heat island. Field observations were carried out during two time periods of the day; 1400-1500 hours and 2200-2300 hours in the months of July, August and September. The data reveals the presence of the heat island, averaging 0.13°C during the afternoon and 1.76°C during the night. Using statistical analysis, vegetation was found to have an influence on the magnitude of the heat island. Together with relative humidity and wind, they were found to have the greatest relative importance in determining the heat island intensity. In relation to these findings, recommendations were made for further improvement of the HDB estate environment. Some suggestions for future research were also given.