Achieving sustainability through the management of microclimate parameters in Mediterranean urban environments during summer

•A real scale climate upgrading is presented.•The mean air temperature was reduced at 1.80 m height about 1.70 °C.•A reduction of the mean surface temperature about 8.45 °C.•The degreehours above 26 °C minimized about 46%.

The study quantifies the effect of the most basic parameters that affect urban open spaces in Mediterranean climates. The analyzed parameters are addressed mostly on existing open spaces and can be easily adjusted through a space renovation. The study combines literature review, simulation of different scenarios and implementation of the methodology on the renovation of an open urban area in Rethymnon, Crete. The studied parameters are height to width ratio of an urban canyon, sky view factor, greenery percentage, pavement material properties. Each parameter is investigated both separately and in relation to all the rest ones. The results show a good correlation of certain parameters which have more or less the same effect, but also others that their effects are added. By this analysis, it comes clear for a designer that wants to bioclimatically renovate an urban area which should be the main directions for the design concept that will lead to a successful result with better microclimate conditions for the users. The area of implementation is measured in several points, during the whole renovation process and the final results show a reduction of the mean air temperature at the level of 1.80 m about 1.70 °C, a reduction of the mean surface temperature about 8.45 °C, improve on the thermal comfort index and minimization of the degreehours above 26 °C about 46%.