The cooling effect potential of urban river reserve in Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

The Malaysian riparian buffer strip is also called the river reserve. As the state authority has the right to reserve state land for public purposes, there is high prospect to preserve green space in urban areas. Urban riparian, however, has been used only for bank stabilization, biodiversity, and water quality purposes. Prior studies verified that vegetated riparian minimises outdoor thermal condition, in comparison to impervious surface areas. Strategic distribution of green space and cooling sources in city planning are vital for maximum efficiency of green strategies. Hence, this paper determined the cooling effect potential of urban riparian structure on local thermal environment by investigating three river reserve areas. Thermal measurements were recorded at six locations perpendicular to the riverbank at 20m intervals, along with a census of vegetation formation. Although the riparian zoning was located along the same river, different widths and various vegetation formations affected thermal distribution. The ΔTi outcomes indicated that despite the small and restricted green space allocated in urban areas, the cooling effect was still present. Hence, green strategies must be carefully crafted to maximize use of space. The effects of urban riparian structure generate the multi-functions of urban river reserve, especially its cooling effect.

Morphological Suitability Analysis of Urban Greenspaces with Rivers: A Case Study of the Lixiahe Riverine Area

“…As a significant part of urban ecological systems [5], water bodies contribute multiple ecological functions, including enhancing biodiversity [6], regulating urban climate [7][8][9] and regulating flooding [10]. Waterfront areas are usually regarded as the boundaries between land and aquatic systems, with unique landscape characteristics and "hotspots" of biological and chemical activities [11].…”