Evaluating edible parks in a cold, dry Global South city: A seasonal assessment of microclimatic performance and socio‑cultural feasibility

Source abstract

Urban environments increasingly require nature-based strategies that enhance ecological resilience, socio-cultural value, and outdoor thermal comfort. This study evaluates the feasibility of edible parks as multifunctional edible green infrastructure using a six‑month seasonal microclimatic simulation (April to September), which represents a clear departure from the typical single‑day or “hottest‑day” analyses. Focusing on Tabriz, a cold semi‑arid Global South city, the research addresses a major geographical and climatic gap in microclimate and nature-based solutions scholarship. A mixed‑methods framework integrates ENVI-met and RayMan modelling with a perceptual survey of 384 residents assessing place attachment, nature connectedness, and pro‑environmental behaviour. Four vegetation scenarios were developed based on socio-cultural preferences and local agroecological knowledge and were evaluated using a tripartite lens encompassing biophysical performance, cultural integration, and adaptive spatial logic. Seasonal simulations demonstrate that integrated tree–crop systems improve outdoor thermal comfort, reducing PET by up to 7.4°C, while survey results reveal strong cultural attachment to the site and support for edible‑park interventions. By coupling socio‑cultural insights with longitudinal microclimatic dynamics, this study advances a holistic socio‑ecological paradigm for edible‑park planning in underrepresented climatic regions. Findings contribute to climate‑responsive and culturally resonant urban greening strategies in cold, dry cities of the Global South.