Journals Information
Civil Engineering and Architecture Vol. 13(6), pp. 4331 - 4352
DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130616
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Evaluating Urban Surface Materials: Albedo Optimization and Shading for Pedestrian Thermal Comfort in Hot-Arid Environments
Mayar Ghoniem 1, Amgad Fahmy 1,2, Tarek M. Kamel 1,*
1 Department of Architectural Engineering and Environmental Design, College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt
2 Department of Architecture, Effat University, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Enhancing pedestrian thermal comfort in Egypt's hot-arid environments is a growing urban design challenge. This study evaluates the thermal effects of varying surface albedo values (0.12, 0.20, 0.30) in a commercial pedestrian strip in New Cairo, using a hybrid workflow that integrates ENVI-met microclimate simulations, Grasshopper/Ladybug parametric modelling, and field validation. The objective is to assess how reflective material influences surface temperature (Ts), air temperature (Ta), mean radiant temperature (MRT), and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and to determine the role of shading in offsetting potential trade-offs. Findings indicate that increasing albedo reduced Ts by up to 7℃ and Ta at pedestrian height by 1.5℃, confirming the cooling potential of reflective pavements. However, results also showed that higher reflectivity elevated MRT by as much as 6℃, which in turn raised UTCI values beyond 46℃ in unshaded conditions, placing pedestrians in strong to extreme heat-stress categories. When modular canopy shading was introduced, UTCI declined by 5鈥�6.6℃, effectively neutralizing the radiant penalties associated with high albedo and demonstrating that shading interventions are more decisive than material modifications alone. This study contributes to ongoing debates on climate-responsive design in arid cities by highlighting both opportunities and limitations of reflective pavements. While reflective surfaces provide measurable cooling benefits, they must be embedded within layered strategies that include shading and vegetation to ensure pedestrian comfort. Research limitations include the focus on a single urban typology and peak summer conditions, while practical implications emphasize the need for policy frameworks that mandate paired material-shading approaches in public spaces. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for planners and designers seeking to create thermally adaptive, pedestrian-friendly environments in hot-arid contexts.
KEYWORDS
Outdoor Thermal Comfort, Surface Albedo, Shading, Dark Pavements, Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), ENVI-met, Ladybug Tools
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Mayar Ghoniem , Amgad Fahmy , Tarek M. Kamel , "Evaluating Urban Surface Materials: Albedo Optimization and Shading for Pedestrian Thermal Comfort in Hot-Arid Environments," Civil Engineering and Architecture, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 4331 - 4352, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130616.
(b). APA Format:
Mayar Ghoniem , Amgad Fahmy , Tarek M. Kamel (2025). Evaluating Urban Surface Materials: Albedo Optimization and Shading for Pedestrian Thermal Comfort in Hot-Arid Environments. Civil Engineering and Architecture, 13(6), 4331 - 4352. DOI: 10.13189/cea.2025.130616.