The Influence of Building Height Variability on Natural Ventilation and Neighbor Buildings in Dense Urban Areas

Abstract

Urban Heat Islands (UHI) have been associated with urbanization. In dense urban areas, when simulating the energy performance of a new building, understanding the UHI effect on the microclimate is critical. With reported increases in the center of large cities up to 7
higher than the local weather station, at times, this is a critically important piece of information. The problem for the simulationist is establishing the appropriate microclimate ‘correction’. It is well-known that the height of new buildings affects the surrounding microclimate, influencing urban wind flow significantly. The vertical temperature lapse rate can be significant in buildings of 30 stories or more. The effect of UHI depth on the lapse rate and the effect of the altered wind flows on the UHI are less well-known. A systematic literature review has been conducted to establish the level of documentary evidence for the relationship between UHI depth and temperature lapse rates and building interaction with the turbulent wind boundary layer. The goal is to establish a basis upon which naturally ventilated tall buildings might be accurately modeled within dense urban environments.