Mobile Microclimatic Urban Monitoring

Low-cost cloud-connected position-enriched sensors for mobile monitoring of several environmental parameters have been tested in the city of Bolzano (Italy), proving their suitability in identifying the spatial variability of the local climate in relation to the urban morphology, and for highlighting the presence of urban heat island. An exploratory field campaign has been carried out in May 2021 to monitor the diurnal evolution of the microclimate conditions (Tair/RH fields). Data have been acquired performing three sessions during daytime on weekdays: at morning (i.e. 08:30-10:30), noon (i.e. 12:00-14:00), and afternoon (i.e. 16:00-18:00). The measurements have been carried out in 8 days, chosen for the stationary weather conditions (i.e. clear sky and absence of wind). The selected pathway has a length of 9 km, starting and ending at NOI Techpark, crosses the city center and reaches the northern part of the city. It is specifically designed to monitor areas of Bolzano characterized by different land use, urban morphology, and human activities.