THERMALLY INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SPACES: DESIGNING WALKABLE URBAN ENVIRONMENTS IN HOT AND ARID CLIMATES

Abstract

Rapid urbanization, climate change, and rising temperatures have significantly increased thermal discomfort in public spaces, particularly in hot and arid regions, making outdoor environments less comfortable and reducing opportunities for walking, social interaction, and everyday activities. Creating thermally inclusive public spaces has therefore become an important goal of climate-responsive urban design to improve public health, environmental sustainability, accessibility, and urban livability. This systematic review examines 20 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024 to identify urban design strategies that enhance outdoor thermal comfort and encourage walkability. The review explores how urban morphology, vegetation, surface materials, shading elements, microclimatic conditions, and pedestrian behaviour interact to influence thermal comfort. The findings show that combining multiple passive design strategies is more effective than relying on individual interventions. Among the reviewed approaches, urban greening through tree planting and canopy cover emerged as the most effective solution, reducing Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) by approximately 6–10°C through shading and evapotranspiration. Reflective, high-albedo paving materials help reduce surface temperatures, while climate-responsive street design, including appropriate height-to-width ratios, optimized street orientation, and well-connected ventilation corridors, improves airflow and minimizes heat exposure. Continuous shaded walkways and blue-green infrastructure further enhance pedestrian comfort and encourage outdoor activity. Although people often adapt to heat by seeking shade, changing routes, adjusting clothing, staying hydrated, or avoiding peak temperatures, these behavioral responses alone cannot adequately address prolonged thermal stress. The review also highlights differences in adaptation approaches, with developed countries increasingly adopting smart technologies, while developing regions depend more on affordable passive and nature-based solutions. Based on these findings, the study proposes an integrated framework that combines climate-responsive urban form, vegetation, shading, reflective materials, and pedestrian-focused planning. Such an approach can support healthier, more inclusive, and climate-resilient public spaces while promoting sustainable walkability in hot and arid cities.