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Morris, Kenobi Isima (2016) Computational study of Klang Valley's urban climatology, and urbanisation of Putrajaya city, Malaysia. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Urbanisation is associated with physical modifications of land surfaces and climate of a given area. Studies of urbanisation effect on urban climate of Klang Valley region is below par. This research aims to bridge the gap by using a coupled Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with the NOAH Land Surface Model (NOAH) and Urban Canopy Model (UCM) – WRF/NOAH/UCM to investigate the urban climatology of Klang Valley and the urbanisation of Putrajaya over a decade. In addition, evaluation of the garden city concept adopted in the development of Putrajaya city is also conducted. The model is first validated against a network of meteorological observations in the region to determine its suitability for urban climate investigations. Climatological variables (near-surface temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed) along with land use and land cover (LULC) changes; planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), and urban heat/cool islands (UHI/UCI) of the area are also investigated. The model evaluation shows good performance over the region. LULC changes demonstrates strong influence in thermal climatology variations. A mean maximum UHI intensity of ~4.2 ºC was observed in the urban canopy-layer of the Klang Valley.

Results reveal that urbanisation of Putrajaya leads to 2-m temperature increase at the rate of ~1.66 ºC per decade, with the area experiencing a mean UHI intensity of ~2.1 ºC per day. Other climatological variables vary accordingly with the urbanisation processes.

Evaluation of the garden city concept indicates that the adopted concept causes a reduction in 2-m air temperature of the Putrajaya area, amounting to ~0.53 ºC per day; with vegetation contributing more (~0.39 ºC) to the daily reduction relative to water bodies (~0.14 ºC). Location of the city in the tropics accustomed with high intensity of daily solar radiation masked the cooling potentials of the concept to some extent.

Item Type:	Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors:	Chan, Andy Tak Yee Abdalla Abakr, Yousif
Keywords:	urban climate, urban climatology, tropical climate, tropical climatology, WRF/Noah/UCM, urban heat island, urban cool island, planetary boundary layer, sea breezes, urbanisation effect, garden city concept, garden city concept evaluation, water and vegetation, green city, urban surface energy balance, Klang Valley, Malaysia, planned cities
Subjects:	T Technology > TH Building construction > TH 845 Architectural engineering
Faculties/Schools:	University of Nottingham, Malaysia > Faculty of Science and Engineering — Engineering > Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
Item ID:	32890
Depositing User:	MORRIS, KENOBI ISIMA
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2018 09:34
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2018 02:02
URI:	https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/32890

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