The urban heat island effect has become increasingly serious in recent years under the influence
of climate change and global warming. Rising temperatures caused by the heat island effect
significantly impact the quality of life in cities because it directly affects people's satisfaction with
the urban environment and their use of outdoor spaces. This study used a mobile heat stress tracker
to measure microclimate factors, including temperature (dry-bulb temperature), relative humidity,
wind speed, and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) at a distance of 1.5 m above the ground. The
variance in the thermal comfort of two 2 urban parks (Taipei Botanical Garden and Zhonghe Park)
was analyzed through the measured data. Research results showed that the average temperature and
WBGT in the understory of the botanical garden was 2℃ lower than on the sidewalk of the street.
The single-layered and low vegetation coverage of Zhonghe Park allows for better ventilation and
minimal humidity difference between inside and outside of the park. However, it also results in a
significant WBGT difference of up to 4.5℃ between the pavement and the understory areas, indicating
that the distribution of WBGT within Zhonghe Park varies significantly. The multi-layered
and high vegetation coverage of Taipei Botanical Garden intercepts solar radiation through multiple
layers of vegetation. This vegetation structure helps disperse the understory's cooling effect on
the park's pavement areas. The maximum WBGT difference between the pavement and understory
was only 0.9℃, indicating a relatively even distribution of WBGT within Taipei Botanical Garden.
Visitors walking on the pavement can experience similar thermal comfort as in the understory
within the park.