Assessment of Heat Stress in Schoolyards in Belgrade (Serbia) Using Micrometeorological Measurements

Extreme heat and urban heat island effects increasingly influence outdoor thermal conditions in urban areas during the summer season. Children represent one of the most vulnerable population groups due to frequent outdoor exposure during educational, recreational, and sports activities in schoolyards.

The aim of this study is to investigate micrometeorological conditions and heat exposure in schoolyards within the Belgrade urban area during the warm part of the year. Preliminary measurements are being conducted in two primary schoolyards located in different urban environments. Measurements include sun-exposed and shaded locations, as well as different surface types within each schoolyard, in order to investigate spatial variability of thermal conditions and heat exposure across different micro-locations.

The selected schools were analyzed according to the Local Climate Zones (LCZ) framework, enabling comparison of thermal conditions across different urban morphologies. The research focuses on the influence of vegetation cover, shading conditions, and surface characteristics on heat exposure and outdoor thermal conditions. Particular attention is given to the identification of potentially vulnerable micro-locations within schoolyards.

The results are expected to contribute a better understanding of urban heat exposure in school environments and support future climate adaptation strategies in urban areas.

Key words: urban heat stress, schoolyards, micrometeorological measurements, LCZ, urban bioclimatology