Building an urban climatic analysis map for Belo Horizonte city, Brazil

Abstract The article proposes the adaptation and application of the German methodology for the construction of climatic maps for the city of Belo Horizonte. Land use data, geographic aspects and wind information were analyzed, producing different layers of thematic maps. Their combination allowed a definition of eight classes of climatopes, making an analytical urban climatic map. It was verified that the edges of the city at south, southeast and northeast, which the green areas are concentrated, have greater dynamic potential and lower thermal load, considered an advantage for nocturnal cooling. However, the densely built-up areas located in the city center have low nocturnal cooling capacity, due to thermal load storage and the lowest dynamic potential that favor the heating of the surfaces. Concerning to the distribution of climatope classes, it was observed that about half of the city area presents a negative thermal load and a good dynamic potential as an atmospheric response. This result indicates that the negative impact of the urban elements on the surface thermal load can be considered still low. The results are also the basis for urban planning recommendations in order to preserve and expand urban areas that can contribute to the improvement of the local climate of Belo Horizonte.