Location/Context
Dense urban street corridor in Gdansk Example district (street canyon with H/W ratio ~1.5)
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Demonstration
3 Variants
Gdansk
Street Canyon: Tree Density Comparison
Demonstration scenario comparing temperature, wind, and pollution outcomes across different tree planting densities in Gdansk street corridors
Scenario Overview
Planning Question
How does tree planting density affect microclimate and air quality in narrow street canyons?
Environmental Variables
Air temperature
Surface temperature
PM2.5 concentration
Wind speed
Humidity
Pedestrian comfort
Compared Variants
Tree Density Scenarios
No Trees
Baseline street canyon without tree coverage
Temp
PM2.5
42.3 C18.2 ug/m3
Humidity
Wind
42%3.8 m/s
Sparse Trees (15m spacing)
Standard street tree spacing, mixed species
Temp
PM2.5
38.7 C14.5 ug/m3
Humidity
Wind
48%2.9 m/s
Dense Trees (8m spacing)
Optimized spacing with climate-adapted species
Temp
PM2.5
35.1 C11.2 ug/m3
Humidity
Wind
54%2.1 m/s
Impact Metrics
Air Temp Reduction
-7.2 CSurface Temp Reduction
-11.5 CPM2.5 Improvement
-38%Wind Speed
2.1 m/sHumidity Increase
+12%Canopy Coverage
42%Key Findings
Temperature reduction: Dense tree planting (8m spacing) reduces peak air temperature by 7.2 C and surface temperature by 11.5 C compared to no trees
Air quality improvement: PM2.5 levels decrease by 38% with dense canopy coverage through deposition and reduced resuspension
Wind moderation: Dense trees reduce pedestrian-level wind speeds to comfortable range (2.1 m/s) while maintaining adequate ventilation
Optimal spacing: 8-10m spacing balances cooling benefits with maintenance requirements and underground infrastructure constraints
Planning Interpretation
This scenario demonstrates that strategic tree planting can significantly improve street-level microclimate and air quality in dense urban environments. The results suggest that: