PhD Advisor: Professor Sami Al Ghamdi

Abstract:
How can cities in arid climates become cooler and more comfortable? This dissertation uses numerical models and field measurements to assess trees, green roofs, and reflective roofs and pavements in Saudi Arabia. Trees provided strong cooling near shaded areas, while reflective roofs spread cooling more widely across neighborhoods. Combining broad-canopy trees with reflective roofs produced the greatest improvement in outdoor thermal comfort among the strategies tested. The findings show that effective cooling depends on local conditions and thoughtful design, offering practical guidance for creating more heat-resilient cities.

Bio:
Amjad Azmeer is a Ph.D. candidate in Environmental Science and Engineering at KAUST, Saudi Arabia, where his research focuses on green infrastructure and urban cooling in arid climates. He holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Engineering from the National University of Singapore and a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah. Before starting his Ph.D., he worked as a Sustainability Associate with the UN Global Compact. His research has been published in journals including Urban Climate and presented at international conferences such as EGU and ICUC. He has received a KAUST Dean’s Travel Award, a 3MT presentation award, and recognition in Trellis/GreenBiz’s 30 Under 30. Born and raised in Dubai and originally from Sri Lanka, Amjad enjoys cricket