Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Research (GJETR)

A Review of the Geometric Configuration of Urban Arterials and Its Role in Heat Island Intensification: A Thermal Flux Modelling Approach

Salih, Emad H., Salih, Baydaa Hamdi

17 June 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 6, pp. 222-240

DOI: 10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E6/2026-05

Abstract

Urban heat island (UHI) intensification is still one of the most critical environmental issues induced by rapid urbanization and climate change. Urban arterial systems (boulevards, grid networks, radial corridors, multilane transportation canyons) can have a large impact on the modification of the urban thermal balance via changes in the surface energy exchange, anthropogenic heat release, flow obstruction and thermal storage. This review summarizes recent research on the geometric configuration of urban arterials and their contribution to UHI amplification using thermal flux modelling approaches published between 2020 and 2026. The paper investigates the effect of street orientation, canyon aspect ratio, sky-view factor, pavement materials, vegetation distribution and aerodynamic roughness on urban thermal regimes. Focus is on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), ENVI-met, mesoscale weather models, remote sensing techniques and machine-learning-assisted thermal simulations. The review summarizes the major mechanisms by which arterial geometry enhances thermal accumulation, including radiative trapping, suppression of turbulent heat exchange and retention of nighttime heat. Results show that compact canyon geometries, low albedo paving systems and poor ventilation corridors greatly enhance sensible heat flux and thermal discomfort. On the contrary, optimized geometries incorporating green infrastructure, reflective surfaces, permeable materials, and ventilation corridors reduce thermal load dramatically. The paper concludes with recommendations for future integrated urban thermal governance and resilient street design.

Keywords: Urban heat island, urban arterials, street canyon geometry, thermal flux modelling, CFD, ENVI-met, urban morphology, thermal comfort.

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Salih, Emad H., Salih, & Baydaa Hamdi (2026). A Review of the Geometric Configuration of Urban Arterials and Its Role in Heat Island Intensification: A Thermal Flux Modelling Approach. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Research, 2(6), 222-240. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E6/2026-05

@article{Salih2026,
  title   = {A Review of the Geometric Configuration of Urban Arterials and Its Role in Heat Island Intensification: A Thermal Flux Modelling Approach},
  author  = {Salih and Emad H. and Salih and Baydaa Hamdi},
  journal = {Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Research},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {6},
  pages   = {222-240},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E6/2026-05},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E6/2026-05}
}

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