Mitigating the effects of urban heat island phenomenon through bioclimatic landscape approach: a case study of Putrajaya

The negligence of climate knowledge in urban planning in the past has resulted in thermal discomfort to the contemporary urban life. This is because, the outdoor climate falls within the purview of urban planning and design; thus, the decisions on street layout, building dimensions and placement as well as landscaping are made at this scale. The detailed knowledge of climate input will enable planners and architects to provide appropriate strategies to curb the negative aspects that may occur after a town was built and expanded. With regard to this, the professionals involved in planning and designing urban built forms including urban planners, architects and landscape architects have the most important role to create urban spaces as their decisions directly affect the urban climate. The urban physical structure and planning details can be influenced by urban designers and architects in the stages of urban and building design. Landscape planners and architects have the potential to modify the effects of extreme climatic conditions through adoption of environmentally-responsive design that integrate climatic aspects to outdoor environments; especially whenever the urban design and architecture are not bioclimatically oriented. Thus, the biociimatic and microclimatic aspect in designing an urban landscape is necessary due to its strong relationship with climate, nature and living environment. This, in turn, will increase outdoor thermal comfort and ensure that human habitat is capable to adapt the changing climate. Other than that, this research also supports to achieve the objective of Putrajaya Green City Plan 2025.