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Human biometeorological analysis of the thermal conditions of the hot Turkish city of Şanliurfa

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Abstract

This paper offers a throughout human biometeorological assessment about the thermal conditions of Şanliurfa in one of the hottest parts of Turkey, in the hottest period of the year (from April to October), and a comparative analysis of three built-up types (urban, suburban and rural). Therefore, the values of physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), one of the most extensively used indices, were calculated from basic climate data with the help of the RayMan model. It was found by regarding the resulted mean PET values and the occurrence frequency of extreme heat stress periods (PET values above 41 °C) that the urban area exhibited the most unfavourable properties, followed by the suburban and rural areas. We also found very severe heat stress conditions in the summer, which may be explained by the torrid and arid climate, calm air conditions and the lack of abundant vegetation. Aiming to optimise human thermal conditions, thereby improving local life quality and facilitating international tourism, increment of vegetated areas and water surfaces would be required and, of course, highlighting the traditional methods taking into account the important aspects of sustainability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Architecture and Design Faculty, City and Regional Planning Department, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey

    Süleyman Toy

  2. Science and Art Faculty, Department of Geography, Harran University, Urfa, Turkey

    Ahmet Serdar Aytaç

  3. Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Climatology and Landscape Ecology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

    Noémi Kántor

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  1. Süleyman Toy
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  2. Ahmet Serdar Aytaç
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  3. Noémi Kántor
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Correspondence to Süleyman Toy.

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Toy, S., Aytaç, A.S. & Kántor, N. Human biometeorological analysis of the thermal conditions of the hot Turkish city of Şanliurfa. Theor Appl Climatol 131, 611–623 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-016-1995-3

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