Measures of air temperature in urban areas, on paved and wooded areas were conducted
during three days of the less rainy season (November, 2008) and rainy season (April, 2009)
on 8 points for data collection across the metropolitan city of Belém-PA , located in northern
Brazil. The profiles of average temperature in less rainy and wet periods, and the temperaturehumidity
index, showed significantly different and often opposite in both areas. The
sensations of thermal discomfort are more expressive in paved areas, mainly in the urban
environment which is predominantly characterized by surfaces with roofing tar, and represent
the main avenues of this city. In general, there is good consistency between thermal
sensations and the sensations experienced by the estimated thermal model THOM. As to
elements of urban structure that are potentially capable of providing significant weather
changes, the vegetation presents a fundamental role in order to minimize the maximum
temperatures of air, thus reducing the uncomfortable heat of the points in question. Because
the city of Bethlehem is located in the equatorial region, where prevailing air temperatures
and high humidity throughout the year, a small increase in air temperature can provide a large
thermal discomfort.
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