Entre o asfalto e a folhagem: a arborização urbana como fator de amenização dos efeitos das ilhas de calor em avenidas de Teresina - PI

Abstract

Disordered urban growth in Teresina, Piauí, associated with the reduction of green areas, intensifies the formation of urban heat islands, negatively impacting the microclimate and the thermal comfort of the population. This study aimed to analyze the influence of urban vegetation, land use, and urban morphology on temperature and humidity, as well as to map areas susceptible to the formation of urban heat islands in five strategic avenues of the city: Frei Serafim, Miguel Rosa, Industrial Gil Martins, Barão de Gurguéia, and Maranhão. The methodology combined bibliographic research, satellite image analysis, and field surveys, including measurements of temperature and humidity, in addition to the evaluation of vegetation cover. The data were organized into thematic maps, allowing the identification of the most critical sections and microclimatic variations throughout the day. The results indicate that areas with low vegetation cover and high impermeabilization present higher temperatures and lower humidity, while sections close to vegetation or water bodies register milder conditions, highlighting the influence of vegetation cover on urban microclimatic dynamics. It is concluded that urban vegetation plays a decisive role in thermal regulation, improving the microclimate and increasing environmental comfort, constituting an essential strategy for sustainable urban planning in tropical cities.