Planning and Designing Devices for A Cool Park

About this pattern

To control heat and humidity in a large park we need to map the paths of cooling breezes as well as the areas where there are no breezes, and then map the topography and porosity of the soil to determine where water is most likely to collect (usually in the lowest lying areas).

This process will locate the most and least pleasant microclimates. We can then discern where to locate devices to provide shade and clean air, dehumidifiers to reduce moisture, fountains to lower ambient temperatures and even ultrasonic speaker systems to drive away mosquitos. These will make up a pattern of devices for the benefit and comfort of the users of the park. They will reinforce areas that are already made comfortable by reducing the heat and humidity through means such as specific plants and trees chosen for their ability to shade according to their canopy, or water fountains and atomisers to cool the air.

According to the number of devices in a given area, the spaces are more or less enjoyable, more or less comfortable. Such climatic devices can be versions of park furniture such as benches, fountains, or sculptures. Their role will be either as dehumidifiers, or as devices that cool surfaces from underground pipes or that decrease the intensity of light or create shade. In planning for the park, buildings can be located in the most uncomfortable areas whereas recreational and leisure activities can be situated in the most comfortable microclimates; that is, where heat and the relative humidity level will be at a minimum. The lowest lying parts of the park are likely to collect rainwater, and so generate higher air humidity. This is where the dehumidifying devices should be placed. Keeping in mind the relationship of the park to its topography and the water that is collected, keyline sub-ploughing can be used to slow down rainwater and enable it to infiltrate as closely as possible the places where it falls into the superficial layers of soil.

Pattern Conditions

Enablers

• Community workshops can also be involved in making and maintaining some simple devices.

Constraints

• Parks with such innovative device patterns will require maintenance by local government.

Commoning Concerns

Access: Unrestricted

Use: reduction of temperature & humidity

Benefit: provides cool spots in open space, incentivises time to be spent out of doors thus reducing electricity use

Responsibility: Local Government responsible for assets.

Care: Local Government, Body Corporate contractors, community

Ownership: Local Government ownership of cooling devices