Urban Microclimate Model Research Articles

Application of Microclimate Modelling and Onsite Survey in Planning Practice Related to an Urban Micro-Environment

Numerical simulations of human thermal comfort conditions were carried out by means of the urban microclimate model ENVI-met in a popular children’s playground located in Szeged, Hungary. Bioclimatic conditions were quantified by the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET). Based on the PET values, thermal stress maps were created in two different periods of typical summer and autumn days. The study aims to reveal the seasonal and diurnal spatial patterns of the simulated thermal conditions and thus the degree of heat stress in different parts of the playground. Furthermore, we analysed the momentary spatial distributions of the visitors triggered by the microclimatic conditions of the area. According to the simulation, remarkable differences in the thermal conditions were found depending on the sun elevation and the resulting shaded conditions as well as the radiation of the heated surfaces. The spatial distribution of the visitors seems to be highly influenced by the patterns of the thermal conditions but the location and the preference of the children’s playground equipment also affects it. In order to reveal the possible causes of the people’s behaviour, an onsite questionnaire survey was conducted on their opinions and possible modification requirements related to the design of the playground.

Review of Strategies for the Geometric Creation and Population of Urban Microclimate Models

Heightened demand for larger and more accurate microclimate models for heat transfer, pollution accumulation, and wind level prediction has posed new challenges for researchers working in wind tunnels, as well as those employing computational fluid dynamics modeling. Namely, the problem is how to generate geometrically accurate and up to date models inexpensively and quickly without compromising potentially critical details. The problem is an important and growing one, as there is an increased tendency to use such models as the basis for planning permission and long-term policy decisions in urban areas. This review paper traces the recent evolution in the size and detail-level of microclimate models (both physical and numerical) and explains the difficulties of applying the existing technology traditionally adopted in virtual city model creation. Finally, the paper provides an overview of recent innovations in the geometric creation and population of microclimate models to overcome existing documented deficiencies in an absence of architectural detailing in the investigated models through use of aerial laser scanning data.

Assessing the Effect of Microclimate on Building Energy Performance by Co-Simulation

To provide a more accurate prediction of building energy consumption, it is necessary to take into account the influence of the microclimate around a building establishing through the interaction with other buildings or the natural environment. This paper presents a method for the quantitative assessment of building performance under any given urban context by linking the urban microclimate model ENVI-met to the building energy simulation (BES) program EnergyPlus. The full microclimatic factors such as solar radiation, thermal radiation, outdoor air temperature, humidity, and wind speed have been considered in the proposed scheme. The method outlined in this paper could be useful for urban and building optimal design.