Reflective Building Façades: The Effect of Albedo on Outdoor Thermal Comfort – A Case Study of Low-Rise Apartments

In tropical locations, where urban areas experience considerable temperature rises relative to rural areas, the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is becoming more and more evident. Reflective building façades, global warming, and hardscape areas are all contributing issues. Because they reflect solar heat, materials like glass, high-pressure laminates, and metallic sheets raise outdoor temperatures, which affects both human comfort and the environment. This study looks into ways to lessen the negative impacts of reflecting façades on urban heat islands (UHIs), with a particular emphasis on how albedo affects microclimates and urban canyons. We examine the impacts of albedo on outdoor thermal comfort by analyzing research from 2003 to 2022. Thermal comfort indices can be calculated with ENVI-met software, which is useful for specialists in urban planning and architecture. To demonstrate these consequences, a case study of a low-rise housing complex located in Greater Noida, India, is provided. With a subtropical climate, this region sees wide changes in temperature, with summer highs frequently reaching 43°C and winter lows of about 7°C. The study uses ENVI-met simulations to evaluate how reflective façades affect thermal comfort in real-world conditions. This highlights the pronounced heat island effect and the localized heat buildup in urban areas during peak daytime h. The simulation revealed significant temperature variations throughout the day, with air temperatures peaking above 43.77°C by mid-afternoon between buildings, demonstrating the pronounced heat island effect. Relative humidity levels were low, around 39% to 40%, contributing to dry air discomfort. Wind velocities exceeded 1.5 meters per second at certain junctions, intensifying discomfort by amplifying the perceived heat. These findings indicate that the use of reflective materials on building façades in Greater Noida exacerbates human thermal discomfort outdoors. The study provides an opportunity to further measure and analyze these effects to develop targeted strategies for mitigating the urban heat island phenomenon and enhancing outdoor comfort in the region.