scholarly journals The Impact of Passive Green Technologies on the Microclimate of Historic Urban Structures: The Case Study of Lodz

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 974
Author(s):  
Anna Dominika Bochenek ◽  
Katarzyna Klemm
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Rapid Population Growth ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Urban Climatology ◽  
Urban Structures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Rapid population growth necessitates modifications of urban form, especially in city centers. Consequently, the correlation of the outdoor environment with the occupant’s behavior has profoundly changed. In this study, the authors describe a method, that allows for the estimation of the impact of passive green technologies on the microclimate of historic urban structures, taking into account the city-specific conditions. The Envi-met application, which is widely applied in urban climatology, was used to create the atmospheric processes simulation. Passive scenarios such as green roofs, living facades, and high greenery for chosen periods—warm conditions and the hottest day—were considered. It enabled an assessment of microclimatic outdoor conditions at the pedestrian (1.4 m) and living level (5 m). The results suggested that the highest temperature reduction was related to the tree scenarios (0.09 °C at 1.4 m and 0.18 °C at 5 m height for warm a period; 1.23 °C at 1.4 m and 1.31 °C at 5 m height for the hottest day). The thermal comfort was calculated through the usage of simulated output data. In our investigation, the maximum change in PET was 1.51 °C (for the warm period) and 5.41 °C (during the hottest day of the year). The findings have valuable implications for the design of the city’s structure.

scholarly journals Dialectic contradictions of global and local within the city transformations. (Case study of Russian cities)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Kukina
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban Transformation ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Urban Structures ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Urban Problems ◽  
Speed Of Propagation ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
The City

The results of morphological analyses of the urban structures more and more attract attention with the aim of understanding the processes and laws of transformation of the city fabric. Comparison of the case studies representing different regional cultures gives reasons to presume the presence of global trends as well as local features. Their dialectical contradictions lead to a unique urban form very often. Thus, recent global conversion caused very similar urban problems as well as methods for their solution characteristic to the whole world. Popularization rate of the past is comparable to the speed of propagation of a certain fashion lifestyle. As the result - reversal of thinking to find local uniqueness of each settlement and this tendency again step by step became global. From other side universal morphological conceptual apparatus built on factual analysis allows to trace the objective process of urban transformation and to give some forecasts concerning changes in their structure. Assumptions must be considered with the adjustment for the modern scale. Never the less contemporary cities - Krasnoyarsk, Nizhnyi Novgorod, Irkutsk demonstrate building and fabric adaptation, redevelopment, additive processes, contrast with transformative processes, agricultural residual (areas of town dachas in Russian urban tradition), augmentative redevelopment, different scales of changes of use, loft-cycle (second, re- use) development, street markets concretion, other, characteristic not only for the historic heritage areas but for the modern city as well. Russian cities in our days demonstrate urban-rural fringe development - somewhat even similar to “cocktail-belts” but with the local eclectic Siberian architecture.

scholarly journals The Impact of Green Roofs on the Parameters of the Environment in Urban Areas—Review

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dariusz Suszanowicz ◽  
Alicja Kolasa Więcek
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Urban Heat Islands ◽  
Heat Islands ◽  
Urban Heat ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

This study presents the results of a review of publications conducted by researchers in a variety of climates on the implementation of ‘green roofs’ and their impact on the urban environment. Features of green roofs in urban areas have been characterized by a particular emphasis on: Filtration of air pollutants and oxygen production, reduction of rainwater volume discharged from roof surfaces, reduction of so-called ‘urban heat islands’, as well as improvements to roof surface insulation (including noise reduction properties). The review of the publications confirmed the necessity to conduct research to determine the coefficients of the impact of green roofs on the environment in the city centers of Central and Eastern Europe. The results presented by different authors (most often based on a single case study) differ significantly from each other, which does not allow us to choose universal coefficients for all the parameters of the green roof’s impact on the environment. The work also includes analysis of structural recommendations for the future model green roof study, which will enable pilot research into the influence of green roofs on the environment in urban agglomerations and proposes different kinds of plants for different kinds of roofs, respectively.

scholarly journals Effects of Densification on Urban Microclimate—A Case Study for the City of Vienna

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 511
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Loibl ◽  
Milena Vuckovic ◽  
Ghazal Etminan ◽  
Matthias Ratheiser ◽  
Simon Tschannett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Green Roofs ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Heat Island ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Street Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Climate adaptation, mitigation, and protecting strategies are becoming even more important as climate change is intensifying. The impacts of climate change are especially tangible in dense urban areas due to the inherent characteristics of urban structure and materiality. To assess impacts of densification on urban climate and potential adaptation strategies a densely populated Viennese district was modeled as a typical sample area for the city of Vienna. The case study analyzed the large-scale densification potential and its potential effects on microclimate, air flow, comfort, and energy demand by developing 3D models of the area showing the base case and densification scenarios. Three methods were deployed to assess the impact of urban densification: Micro-climate analysis (1) explored urban heat island phenomena, wind pattern analysis (2) investigated ventilation and wind comfort at street level, and energy and indoor climate comfort analysis (3) compared construction types and greening scenarios and analyzed their impact on the energy demand and indoor temperatures. Densification has negative impacts on urban microclimates because of reducing wind speeds and thus weakening ventilation of street canyons, as well as accelerating heat island effects and associated impact on the buildings. However, densification also has daytime cooling effects because of larger shaded areas. On buildings, densification may have negative effects especially in the new upper, sun-exposed floors. Construction material has less impact than glazing area and rooftop greening. Regarding adaptation to climate change, the impacts of street greening, green facades, and green roofs were simulated: The 24-h average mean radiant temperature (MRT) at street level can be reduced by up to 15 K during daytime. At night there is only a slight reduction by a few tenths of 1 K MRT. Green facades have a similar effect on MRT reduction, while green roofs show only a slight reduction by a few tenths of 1 K MRT on street level. The results show that if appropriate measures were applied, negative effects of densification could be reduced, and positive effects could be achieved.

A case study of noise pollution levels during the restrictions period due to COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (6) ◽  
pp. 206-214
Author(s):  
David Montes-González ◽  
Juan Miguel Barrigón-Morillas ◽  
Ana Cristina Bejarano-Quintas ◽  
Manuel Parejo-Pizarro ◽  
Guillermo Rey-Gozalo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acoustic Measurements ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) led to the need for drastic control measures around the world to reduce the impact on the health of the population. The confinement of people in their homes resulted in a significant reduction in human activity at every level (economic, social, industrial, etc.), which was reflected in a decrease in environmental pollution levels. Studying the evolution of parameters, such as the level of environmental noise caused by vehicle traffic in urban environments, makes it possible to assess the impact of this type of measure. This paper presents a case study of the acoustic situation in Cáceres (Spain) during the restriction period by means of long-term acoustic measurements at various points of the city.

Sociocultural Influences on an Important Example of Iranian Urban Form

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-85
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Habib ◽  
Ibrahim Numan ◽  
Hifsiye Pulhan
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Dimensional Approach ◽  
Sociocultural Influences ◽  
Deductive Method ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

In casting a new look at city; this study interprets the urban form in respect of the role played by human perception of space. The main aim of this research at a macro level is to attain a strong theorical basis through a multi-dimensional approach to the city. The method of analyzing and carrying out a critique of it at an applied level will clarify the impact, which cultural factors have in the formation of urban form. This preliminary recognition and idealism is based on a hermeneutic and deductive method that is particular to the intellectual sciences In the process of devising theories, studying the urban planning texts related to the subject of study and the conclusion from the field study which is carried out in the Isfahan Naghshe Jahan square in the Safavy period played a key role in the research in addition to the goals and questions.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Soundscape Factors Influencing Perceptions of Square Dancing in Urban Streets: A Case Study in a County Level City in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieling Xiao ◽  
Andrew Hilton
Keyword(s):  
Daily Basis ◽  
County Level ◽  
Urban Streets ◽  
Site Survey ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Related Group ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Square dancing is a popular music-related group physical exercise for health benefits in China mainly participated by mid-aged women and elderly people. This paper investigates the soundscape and enjoyment of the square dancing in urban streets through a case study in Lichuan, a county level city in southwest China, in December 2017. It examines the impact of gender, age, participation and places on perceptions of square dancing soundscape. Two sites along two main urban streets in the city were selected to conduct onsite investigations where residents spontaneously perform square dancing on a daily basis. Ethnographical observations were conducted to identify the social-physical features and sounds of both sites during the dance and without dance. Sound pressure measurements (LAeq and LAmax) were also conducted under the two conditions. An off-site survey was distributed through the local social media groups to understand residents’ everyday experiences and perceptions of square dancing in the city; 106 responses were received for the off-site survey. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis of the survey data. The results show gender does appear to be a factor influencing the regularity of participation in square dancing, with a bias towards more female participants. Participation frequency of square dance has an impact on the enjoyment of square dancing. There is no correlation between the dislike of watching square dancing, or dislike of the music and a desire to restrict locations for square dancing.

Increasing Competition for University and the Challenge of Access for Government School Students—A Case Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Edwards
Keyword(s):  
School Students ◽  
Government School ◽  
Educationally Disadvantaged ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Education Degree ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

There is a wide variety of universities, university campuses and university courses in Australia available to those interested in pursuing a higher education degree. This paper examines the impact of increasing competition for entrance to university on the educational outcomes for students from the government school sector. Using Melbourne as a case study, the research shows that, over a four-year period of increased competition, entry to some of the more academically accessible university campuses in the city became more difficult and this disproportionately affected the opportunities for university entrance among some groups. Despite the fact that there was no noticeable change in the academic standards achieved by government school completers, the rate at which government school students gained access to these universities declined noticeably during this time. These findings show how changes in supply of university places from year to year can have a profound effect on the opportunities of secondary-school completers—particularly those in more educationally disadvantaged settings.

scholarly journals The (No-)Public Space. Reviewing the Transformation of Al-Qaed Ibrahim's Urban Image

2020 ◽  
pp. 177-192
Author(s):  
Iman Hegazy
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
The Political ◽  
Urban Image ◽  
Political Conflicts ◽  
Political Events ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Public spaces are defined as places that should be accessible to all inhabitants without restrictions. They are spaces not only for gathering, socializing and celebrating but also for initiating discussions, protesting and demonstrating. Thus, public spaces are intangible expressions of democracy—a topic that the paper tackles its viability within the context of Alexandria, case study Al-Qaed Ibrahim square. On the one hand, Al-Qaed Ibrahim square which is named after Al-Qaed Ibrahim mosque is a sacred element in the urban fabric; whereas on the other it represents a non-religious revolutionary symbol in the Alexandrian urban public sphere. This contradiction necessitates finding an approach to study the characteristic of this square/mosque within the Alexandrian context—that is to realize the impact of the socio-political events on the image of Al-Qaed Ibrahim square, and how it has transformed into a revolutionary urban symbol and yet into a no-public space. The research revolves around the hypothesis that the political events taking place in Egypt after January 25th, 2011, have directly affected the development of urban public spaces, especially in Alexandria. Therefore methodologically, the paper reviews the development of Al-Qaed Ibrahim square throughout the Egyptian socio-political changes, with a focus on the square’s urban and emotional contextual transformations. For this reason, the study adheres to two theories: the "city elements" by Kevin Lynch and "emotionalizing the urban" by Frank Eckardt. The aim is not only to study the mentioned public space but also to figure out the changes in people’s societal behaviour and emotion toward it. Through empowering public spaces, the paper calls the different Egyptian political and civic powers to recognize each other, regardless of their religious, ethnical or political affiliations. It is a step towards replacing the ongoing political conflicts, polarization, and suppression with societal reconciliation, coexistence, and democracy.

scholarly journals Informing the design of courtyard street blocks using solar energy models: a case study of a university campus in Singapore

2021 ◽  
Vol 2042 (1) ◽  
pp. 012050
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Vititneva ◽  
Zhongming Shi ◽  
Pieter Herthogs ◽  
Reinhard König ◽  
Aurel von Richthofen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Energy ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Quasi Monte Carlo ◽  
Energy Models ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
The City

Abstract This study discusses the interplays between urban form and energy performance using a case study in Singapore. We investigate educational urban quarters in the tropical climate of Singapore using simulation-based parametric geometric modelling. Three input variables of urban form were examined: street network orientation, street canyon width, and building depth. In total, 280 scenarios were generated using a quasi-Monte Carlo Saltelli sampler and Grasshopper. For each scenario, the City Energy Analyst, an open-source urban building energy simulation program, calculated solar energy penetration. To assess the variables’ importance, we applied Sobol’ sensitivity analysis. Results suggest that the street width and building depth were the most influential parameters.

scholarly journals Application of Urban Geology in Construction Projects (Case Study: Urban Geology of Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah Province, Iran)

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajad Afzali ◽  
Faezeh Taheri Sarmad ◽  
Mojtaba Heidari ◽  
Seyed Hossein Jalali
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Urban Geology ◽  
Natural Phenomena ◽  
Horizontal Acceleration ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Financial Losses

Urban geology is a preliminary study for the construction and development of cities, which has been more prominent in recent decades in some countries despite its long application history. It assesses the impact of geological and natural phenomena on urban space and available structures. The earthquake on Nov. 21, 2017, inflicted a lot of damage to the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, west of Iran, including financial losses and casualties. Reconstruction of this city and planning for its sustainable development entail conducting urban geological studies. In the present study, the effect of natural phenomena on Sarpol-e Zahab County was studied by investigating its geology and geomorphology. The results showed that, in addition to the earthquake that habitually affected the city of Sarpol-e Zahab, the hazards of other phenomena are also significant. Recorded horizontal acceleration in the recent earthquake confirmed the high seismicity of Sarpol-e Zahab has.

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