Environmental performance assessment for urban districts

Abstract

Purpose – The article aims to describe the approach adopted within the framework of a multi-destination development project, the goal of which is to promote innovative technologies and methods to evaluate the environmental quality of an urban district under construction. Design/methodology/approach – The approach lies in the integration of methodologies usually applied on an urban scale (microclimate well-being and air quality, study of air quality), and/or to the individual building (acoustic comfort evaluation), never before adopted for assessment of plots or districts, especially in the dynamic evaluation of the variables identified, all objectively measurable. This method of analysis has been tested on an area of about 255,000 m2, located in the former historic district of the Fiera di Milano, where a series of typical urban functions (residential, commercial and trade) are inserted within a large public park. Findings – The success of the work is represented by indicators (air quality, acoustic performance and microclimate) that relate to the finished district and that can be compared with average values in the same city. The system may constitute a protocol capable of bringing benefits to local authorities. Research limitations/implications – The limit is the need of data that support the dynamic simulation (external factors as vehicular traffic, general neighbourhood activity, pollutant emissions) corresponding to the different seasons. These data are not always available by the municipalities. Practical implications – This type of assessment could be requested of developers/builders for complex projects, resulting in changes to the initial plan if the assessment identifies critical issues related to the design choices (orientation of buildings, quality and presence of green areas, traffic emissions inside the urban district, etc.), with the ultimate goal of creating neighbourhoods with better environmental conditions. Originality/value – The research produces solutions addressed to the Italian situation, but it identifies systems and methods used in other countries.