| dc.description.abstract | Heat-related health problems, especially in urban areas, are becoming increasingly important due to global climate change (GCC) and urban heat island intensification (UHII). To address these problems, it is important to know how urban landscape design plays a role in urban thermal environments and human health. The comprehensive goal of this study is to understand the multiplicity of heat-related health associated with neighborhood environmental characteristics. This dissertation contains three independent studies, including one systematic review and two empirical studies at the macro-scale (neighborhood-level) and micro-scale (street-level). The first study conducted a systematic review on the impacts of urban landscape characteristic (ULC) on heat-related health. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 studies were selected. The results showed that ULC has positive or negative effects on heat-related health, and appropriate urban landscape design strategies for heat vulnerable areas can mitigate the negative effects of thermal environment on human health. The second study analyzed the impact of urban landscape and sociodemographic characteristics on heat-related health using 27,807 heat-related emergency medical service (EMS) incidents data from 2016-2020, in Cincinnati (Ohio, US). The results showed that heat-related health incidents have been decreased in block groups with high green areas or a low percentage of impervious surfaces. The effect of these variables has increased with increasing temperature. Also, socially vulnerable groups were more vulnerable to heat-related health. The third study developed the ground ratio factor (GRF) model to estimate the different terrestrial radiation according to different ground conditions. Three types of ground materials, including asphalt, concrete, and grass, were considered. Field measurements were conducted during the hot season (July 13 to September 19, 2020). The model was validated by comparing the predicated terrestrial radiation (PTR) from the model with the actual terrestrial radiation (ATR). Through the GRF model, different terrestrial radiation was measured depending on different ground conditions, which can be utilized to improve existing energy budget models. In conclusion, the findings of this dissertation provide new insights into the urban landscape design strategies and foundation of knowledge for local interventions for improving thermal environments and protecting human health. Therefore, efforts to address heat-related problems should be considered continuously by landscape designers, urban planners, and policymakers, especially for vulnerable groups. | en |
