Case Study: Masdar City Eco Plaza Temperature Assessment
How Masdar City Reduced Ambient Temperature by up to 6% using AI-Powered Temperature Models.
Project Overview
In 2022, Masdar City was planning on a redesign of their Eco Plaza, and one of the requirements was to ensure a thermally optimized design of the site. FortyGuard was therefore asked to conduct a detailed thermal assessment of the Eco Plaza. The aim was to gather street-level temperature and local weather data to provide a granular understanding of heat distribution across the city and guide design decisions for improved thermal comfort and sustainability.
Using state-of-the-art temperature monitoring, FortyGuard systematically collected over 14 million data points across Masdar City, including over 3.5 million heat data points within Eco Plaza. This dataset enabled a detailed assessment of heat conditions shaped by urban layout, materials, and environmental factors. By transforming raw data into actionable intelligence, the analysis supported strategic cooling interventions, helping planners create more sustainable, climate-resilient urban spaces.
KEY OBJECTIVES
Assessing urban heat distribution to understand temperature variations across Masdar City.
Evaluating the impact of urban design elements, including surface materials, shading, and layout.
Developing targeted solutions for heat mitigation and long-term cooling strategies.
Providing data-driven insights to support planners in optimizing cooling interventions.
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Data Collection Methodologies
FortyGuard utilized a combination of advanced sensing technologies to ensure a comprehensive thermal analysis of Eco Plaza, and collectively generated over 6 million data points, offering deep insights into Eco Plaza’s thermal conditions.
MOBILE DATA COLLECTION
Provided continuous, long-term monitoring to capture daily and seasonal temperature variations, in ambient temperature, humidity and solar radiation metrics.
STATIC DATA COLLECTION
Delivered localized, time-specific data, allowing for real-time identification of heat dynamics, above various surfaces offering granular insights.
THERMAL IMAGERY
Produced high-resolution heat maps to detect temperature patterns and anomalies, and assess the effectiveness of cooling strategies.
Key Findings & Insights
To assess the thermal condition of Eco Plaza, FortyGuard analyzed several key factors:
HEAT ISLAND IDENTIFICATION
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The study identified localized heat islands within Eco Plaza, where artificial turf and dark-colored materials contributed to temperature spikes of up to 80.3°C.
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Solutions such as greenery and reflective materials were recommended to mitigate these effects.
SHADING EFFECT
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Areas under tree cover and shade structures were significantly cooler, reducing surface temperatures by up to 22°C.
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However, existing shade structures provided inconsistent coverage, leading to high heat retention in certain areas.
SURFACE MATERIAL IMPACT
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Artificial turf reached extreme temperatures, with measurements showing up to 80.3°C in peak sunlight.
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Light-colored pavers demonstrated better thermal performance, with surface temperatures approximately 4.9°C cooler than grey pavers.
WATER AND EVAPORATION TECHNIQUES
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Water-based cooling techniques, including misting units and evaporative cooling walls, were analyzed for their potential impact.
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These techniques demonstrated the ability to lower ambient temperature by approx. 3-5°C in localized areas.
ALBEDO AND REFLECTIVITY
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High reflectivity materials, such as light grey pavers, increased ambient temperature by 2°C due to solar energy reflection.
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Surfaces near reflective glass facades recorded temperature increases of up to 11°C.
Actionable Recommendations for Cooling Strategies
Based on these insights, FortyGuard proposed targeted interventions to enhance thermal comfort and reduce urban heat:
1. MATERIAL REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES
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Use vegetated pavements for natural cooling.
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Substitute high-heat absorbing materials with reflective & permeable surfaces, alongside making use of color effective techniques.
2. OPTIMIZED SHADING STRUCTURES
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Expand tree cover and deploy adaptive shading technologies.
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Implement horizontal, vertical & curved shading canopies.
3. URBAN GREENERY EXPANSION
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Introduce green roofs & vertical gardens to improve cooling.
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Integrate shrubbery & grass-covered surfaces in high-heat zones.
4. WATER-BASED COOLING TECHNOLOGIES
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Misting systems & fountains to enhance evaporative cooling.
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Combining shading + misting to create high-comfort zones.
Final Impact & Expected Outcomes
Up to 8°C reduction in ambient temperature.
25% decrease in extreme heat exposure days.
Decreased "dangerous heat stroke days" by 25%
Enhanced thermal comfort & urban resilience.
Conclusion: Building a Climate-Resilient Future
FortyGuard’s collaboration with Masdar City for this project highlights the untapped potential of data-driven solutions for urban cooling strategies. Extrapolating from this, it is clear how leveraging real-time heat intelligence can empower cities to adopt sustainable solutions to combat urban heat, improve public comfort, and ultimately build climate resilience.
