Effect of wind-based climate-responsive design on city breathability of a compact high-rise city

Abstract

As urban development advances, there is an increasing interest in compact cities as the most sustainable form. To suggest a pronounced connection between dense urban morphology and wind environments, this study adopts the new approach of wind-based climate-responsive design to investigate the influences of urban density, building corner modification, and wind direction on urban ventilation outcomes for the enhancement of city breathability. The airflow rates are estimated using a high-rise building array layout to optimize urban penetrability for enhancing breathability. The results of the CFD parametric study indicate that compact urban layouts with larger λp values experience good infiltration rates, ensuring wind comfort at the pedestrian level. Conversely, sparse urban forms with reduced λp values can achieve better permeation outcomes, resulting in elevated wind speeds at the middle level and near the roof of buildings, as well as higher airflow rates through the urban canyon layer. Additionally, the implementation of round corners reduces average wind speeds at the pedestrian level by 39% and increases wind speeds above the middle level of high-rise buildings by 20%, as compared to those of sharp corners. These findings offer valuable insights for high-rise building planning strategies, serving as both immediate and long-term solutions to realize the sustainable objectives of wind-based climate-responsive design in compact cities. Present research has offered the multifaceted trends of wind energy assessments on the realization of urban wind power. This paper also provides a theoretical framework that can assist urban designers in implementing the wind-based climate-responsive designs and enhancing living environments in contemporary compact cities.