The purpose of this research is to investigate the thermal impact of urban green systems (UGS) (trees and living facades) and high albedo pavements on reducing the urban heat island (UHI) effect in London at the pedestrian street level. The research assesses the impact of UGS by suggesting practicable urban greenery-covering densities (25% and 50%) and using high albedo pavement in current and future climatic scenarios (2050 and 2080). This approach is intended to encourage pedestrians to walk longer distances for longer durations during the warmer months, following the Transport for London’s (TfL) 2017 Healthy Streets initiative. The research seeks to measure the advantages and assess the possible impact on the comfort and activities within urban streets. The study adopts a quantitative research design using ENVI-met modelling and questionnaires. Simulation results, the subject of this paper, confirmed that, across three climatic scenarios, the optimal UGS for thermal comfort is 50% trees followed by 25% trees, dependent on street orientation and solar access. Living facades (LF) with 25% and 50% covering had no discernible effect on the comfort of pedestrians, whereas high albedo pavement increases heat stress.

Enhancing thermal properties of concrete blocks in hot climates is crucial for energy efficiency. In this study, the thermal properties of wax-expanded polystyrene (EPS) composite insulation were investigated to assess its effectiveness in reducing heat transfer and improving heat capacitance. Four hollow concrete blocks, measuring 10 cm × 19 cm × 40 cm were examined: three blocks were filled with varying ratios of wax and Expanded Polystyrene, and one remained hollow as a control. The specific heat capacity of the wax-Expanded Polystyrene composite was measured to evaluate its thermal storage potential. Additionally, the thermal insulation abilities of the filled blocks were assessed using a heat source and a thermal camera. The results showed that the blocks with the wax-EPS composites exhibited reduced heat transfer compared to the control block, demonstrating improved thermal performance. The block with the higher wax content additionally displayed greater specific heat capacity, achieving a value of 1825.1 (J/kg.K), indicating enhanced thermal storage capabilities. These findings highlight the potential of wax-EPS concrete blocks in improving thermal regulation, contributing to a viable and energy-efficient building material for hot climates.