Zahra Nobar

@geography.tabrizu.ac.ir

Geography and environmental science
Geography and environmental science

Zahra Nobar


               Download Compact PDF  
https://researchid.co/zahra_nobar

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Ecology, Environmental Science, Nature and Landscape Conservation
3

Scopus Publications

41

Scholar Citations

3

Scholar h-index

1

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Assessing the Potential of Revegetating Abandoned Agricultural Lands Using Nature-Based Typologies for Urban Thermal Comfort
    Zahra Nobar, Akbar Rahimi, Alessio Russo
    Land, 2025
    The rapid urbanization in developing countries has resulted in altered land-use patterns, surface energy imbalances, and heightened urban heat stress, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and vulnerability to heatwaves. The abandonment of agricultural lands, while a global challenge, presents cities with a unique opportunity to meet tree cover targets and improve resilience to these climatic challenges. Building on prior studies, this research employs the combined use of ENVI-met 4.4.6 and Ray-Man 3.1 simulation models to assess the efficacy of nature-based solutions in revegetating abandoned urban agricultural lands with the aim of enhancing outdoor thermal comfort. As a vital component of urban ecosystem services, thermal comfort, particularly through microclimate cooling, is essential for improving public health and livability in cities. This investigation focuses on the integration of broadleaf, evergreen, and edible woody species as bioclimatic interventions to mitigate urban heat stress. Simulation results showed that species such as Quercus spp. (broadleaf) and Cupressus arizonica (evergreen) substantially reduced the Mean Radiant Temperature (Tmrt) index by up to 26.76 °C, primarily due to their shading effects and large canopies. Combining these vegetation types with crops emerged as the most effective strategy to mitigate heat stress and optimize land-use. This study demonstrates how cities can incorporate nature-based solutions to adapt and mitigate the health risks posed by climate change while fostering resilience. These findings offer valuable knowledge for other developing countries facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of revegetating abandoned urban agricultural lands for thermal comfort and ecosystem service provision, with the advantages of reducing mortality and morbidity during heatwaves. Consequently, these results should inform urban climate policies aimed at promoting resilience, public health, and ecological sustainability in a changing climate.
  • MODELLING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS IN DENSELY BUILT-UP AREAS
    , Akbar RAHIMI, Cristian IOJĂ, , Sedighe KHORAMROU, , Zahra NOBAR, and
    Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2025
    Urban expansion and climate change intensify the urban heat island effect. Mitigating heat stress and improving micrometeorological conditions in urban areas can be effectively achieved through nature-based solutions, particularly by integrating them into urban green infrastructure. This study evaluates the cooling efficacy of various urban green infrastructure combinations. Simulations were conducted using ENVI-met and validated against existing meteorological data. Four scenarios with different categories of nature-based solutions were analysed. The results demonstrated that all scenarios with urban green infrastructure improved micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort. Notably, configurations with street trees showed a significant cooling effect, reducing the mean air temperature (Ta) by 1.5°C and the mean Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) by 8.8°C. In contrast, green roofs had a lesser impact, with Ta decreasing by 0.2°C and PET by 0.7°C. These findings offer valuable insights for designers, helping them select optimal urban green infrastructure combinations to enhance micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort in street canyons. Beyond its relevance to urban climate research, this study contributes to a broader interdisciplinary dialogue on sustainable urban development and climate adaptation strategies, making it of interest to policymakers, planners, and scholars across environmental and social sciences.
  • The impact of planting scenarios on agricultural productivity and thermal comfort in urban agriculture land (case study: Tabriz, Iran)
    Akbar Rahimi, Zahra Nobar
    Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2023
    Population growth is a significant challenge in developing countries because it leads to the destruction of green infrastructure and urban agriculture lands around cities, resulting in dissatisfaction with the environment. This study aims to revitalize abandoned agricultural lands within city limits due to urban planning, which can be considered a kind of green infrastructure. In Tabriz, Iran, urban agriculture and urban texture coexist, and the effect of native plant-crop combinations on micrometeorological conditions and thermal comfort on agricultural land was examined. The ENVI-MET model simulated the research area, and the output parameters were validated by comparing their values to field data. The model identified seven proposed scenarios that demonstrated higher performance in improving outdoor thermal comfort. The results showed that edible functions of deciduous plants increased with canopy height and diameter, which improved thermal comfort in high-temperature conditions. Adopting this form of planting would rejuvenate abandoned agricultural fields. Consequently, outdoor thermal comfort may be improved [1.42 predicted mean value (PMV) reduction in the land without plants and a 1.37 PMV reduction in the agriculture land simulation], leading to the rehabilitation of urban agricultural lands that have lost their function in developing cities. These research findings can be utilized to help address the impacts of population growth on green infrastructure and urban agriculture lands.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The potential contribution of the development of Edible Parks in providing Thermal comfort in cities
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production 36 (1), 275-301 , 2026
    2026.0
  • Assessing the Potential of Revegetating Abandoned Agricultural Lands Using Nature-Based Typologies for Urban Thermal Comfort
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi, A Russo
    Land 14 (10), 1938 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Modelling nature-based solutions in densely built-up areas
    A Rahimi, C Iojă, S Khoramrou, Z Nobar
    Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 20 (2), 347-361 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 4
  • Urban Agricultural Land Revitalization and the Creation of Edible Parks Toward Sustainable Urban Development
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Green Development Management Studies 4 (2), 91-118 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Thermal Performance Evaluation of Green Roofs in Metropolises: A case study of Tabriz
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Sustainable city 8 (1), 101-117 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 2
  • Edible parks are an innovative strategy for enhancing environmental comfort and promoting sustainable urban development
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi, J Breuste
    Journal of Geography and Planning 28 (90), 465-440 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 3
  • Investigating the Role of Cover Plants (grass) in Improving the Physiological Equivalent Temperature and Relative Humidity (Case Study: Tabriz University Stadium)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    DIO 10 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • Investigating the role of cover plants (grass) in improving the physiological equivalent temperature and relative humidity (study area: Tabriz University Stadium)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    Journal of agricultural science and sustainable production 34 (1), 187-204 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 6
  • The impact of planting scenarios on agricultural productivity and thermal comfort in urban agriculture land (case study: Tabriz, Iran)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 420 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 23
  • The potential of nature-based solution on the effect of UHI
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
  • Thermal Comfort Using Green Infrastructure Types in Densely Built-Up Areas
    A Rahimi, S Khoramrou Dalake, Z Nobar, M Tarashkar, I Teymuri
    Zahra and Tarashkar, Mahsa and Teymuri, Iraj, Thermal Comfort Using Green … , 0

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • The impact of planting scenarios on agricultural productivity and thermal comfort in urban agriculture land (case study: Tabriz, Iran)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 420 , 2023
    2023.0
    Citations: 23
  • Investigating the role of cover plants (grass) in improving the physiological equivalent temperature and relative humidity (study area: Tabriz University Stadium)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    Journal of agricultural science and sustainable production 34 (1), 187-204 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 6
  • Modelling nature-based solutions in densely built-up areas
    A Rahimi, C Iojă, S Khoramrou, Z Nobar
    Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 20 (2), 347-361 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 4
  • Edible parks are an innovative strategy for enhancing environmental comfort and promoting sustainable urban development
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi, J Breuste
    Journal of Geography and Planning 28 (90), 465-440 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 3
  • Thermal Performance Evaluation of Green Roofs in Metropolises: A case study of Tabriz
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Sustainable city 8 (1), 101-117 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 2
  • Assessing the Potential of Revegetating Abandoned Agricultural Lands Using Nature-Based Typologies for Urban Thermal Comfort
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi, A Russo
    Land 14 (10), 1938 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Urban Agricultural Land Revitalization and the Creation of Edible Parks Toward Sustainable Urban Development
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Green Development Management Studies 4 (2), 91-118 , 2025
    2025.0
    Citations: 1
  • Investigating the Role of Cover Plants (grass) in Improving the Physiological Equivalent Temperature and Relative Humidity (Case Study: Tabriz University Stadium)
    A Rahimi, Z Nobar
    DIO 10 , 2024
    2024.0
    Citations: 1
  • The potential contribution of the development of Edible Parks in providing Thermal comfort in cities
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
    Journal of Agricultural Science and Sustainable Production 36 (1), 275-301 , 2026
    2026.0
  • The potential of nature-based solution on the effect of UHI
    Z Nobar, A Rahimi
  • Thermal Comfort Using Green Infrastructure Types in Densely Built-Up Areas
    A Rahimi, S Khoramrou Dalake, Z Nobar, M Tarashkar, I Teymuri
    Zahra and Tarashkar, Mahsa and Teymuri, Iraj, Thermal Comfort Using Green … , 0