ABSTRACT

University campuses, characterized by their expansive scale and high proportion of green spaces, serve as crucial climate regulators in densely populated urban areas. In particular, the various water system structures within these campuses play a significant role in enhancing the microclimate of waterfront spaces. This research further elucidates the microclimatic regulatory functions of different water system configurations in waterfront areas located in regions with hot and humid conditions, thereby providing theoretical support for climate-adaptive development in similar urban environments. This study focuses on Xihua University, located in the suburbs of Chengdu, China, employing field measurements of the microclimate and numerical simulations using ENVI-met to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the microclimatic conditions at five distinct locations representing three types of water bodies on campus: overland permeable natural waterways, drainage channels, and ornamental lake surfaces. Notably, this research performs simulation analyses under extreme climatic conditions characterized by hot and humid conditions, assessing the microclimate regulation efficiency of various waterway structures based on meteorological factors such as air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The research findings indicate that the efficiency of microclimate regulation varies significantly among different water systems within campus waterfront spaces. During the summer, the microclimatic regulatory function of the campus water system is relatively limited; however, in winter, the open landscape lake demonstrates a pronounced capacity for microclimate regulation. Additionally, factors such as the openness of waterfront spaces, surrounding buildings, and vegetation also exert a notable influence on the microclimatic environment. Moreover, in the development of urban waterfront spaces within regions characterized by hot and humid conditions, it is essential to consider the influence of vegetation, buildings, and surface materials on the microclimatic environment associated with water systems. Additionally, the arrangement and configuration of buildings and plants should be tailored to reflect seasonal variations in local climate conditions, thereby creating waterfront activity spaces that are well-adapted to these climatic factors.