Politics of pedestrian level urban wind control

Abstract

Initially, impact of undesirable pedestrian level wind effects bring about public awareness of the problem. This is often followed closely by pressure from community pressure groups requesting that City Government take responsibility for controlling existing problems and prevent future occurrences. Property developers usually resent the delays and added costs associated with wind control measures. City Governments typically respond in one of three ways. Firstly they attempt to limit their legal liability by using existing, often inappropriate, legislation to call for specialist wind consultant's reports at the developer's or building owner's expense. These reports are expected to advise on existing problems, or identify the probability of future pedestrian level wind problems. Legislation used in some cases does not include criteria for assessing such reports, leaving no legal basis for their acceptance or rejection. Developers often refuse to comply with controls that are not legally binding. Secondly, City Governments engage specialist wind engineering consultants to specify acceptable pedestrian level wind criteria and create regulations or by-laws requiring wind tunnel study reports on all new projects usually over a specified height. With appropriate legislation in place and assessment criteria clearly specified, there is little question of the legality of the controls. Further refinements may include specification of wind tunnel test and data analysis procedures. Thirdly, having been fortunate in the past, City Governments sometimes do nothing, believing that their city does not and will not have pedestrian level wind problems. These City Governments lose an opportunity to develop well considered controls free from pressure group influences.