Thermal environment analysis of mountainous towns based on GIS

Outdoor thermal environment prediction and evaluation system was established based on a geographic information system. The system uses digital elevation model data and satellite imagery of mountainous towns. The system can conveniently provide a three-dimensional view of a town as well as predict the urbanization rate and urban heat island intensity. In addition,the system also permits quick inquiry and analysis of the temperature field,moisture field,and wind field tendency and current conditions of towns. The system was tested using the town of Yunyang,Chongqing Municipality,China,as a case study. The system was used to analyze and predict the climate comfort of the entire town and the outdoor thermal environment comfort of certain town districts,squares and streets. The results are in accordance with the measured data. This outdoor thermal environment prediction and evaluation method thus can provide a feasible reference for the general plan of mountainous town and promote the sustainable development of mountainous towns.