Modifying the Outdoor Temperature around Single-Family Residences: The Influence of Landscaping

This paper investigates the effect of vegetation in modifying outdoor temperature around a single-family house in a hot and humid tropical climate. The climatic parameters, house location, and physical characteristics of landscape design are measured and surveyed. The focus of this study is on the potential impact of trees and different types of foliage on the thermal environment of the houses. The main findings are that heavily landscape around single-family houses can potentially slow heat build-up by shading, evapotranspiration, and wind channelling by as much as 4 °C.