ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS FOR CAMPUS OUTDOOR SPACE: A MICROCLIMATE ANALYSIS OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN UNIVERSITY (EMU) CAMPUS

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-236
Author(s):  
Kamyar Fuladlu
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Building Orientation ◽  
Outdoor Space

ABSTRACT Open spaces—whether public, urban, or part of a campus—offer a variety of activities and opportunities to people. Therefore, open spaces should be considered a vital component of any built-up area and designed to meet the needs and address the comfort of potential users. Because of their presence in daily life and their preponderance of characteristics, open spaces have drawn the attention of many researchers, designers, and planners with varying perspectives. The current study takes a scientific approach to analyzing the environmental parameters of the Campus Outdoor Space (COS) in the case of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU). An extensive literature review supported the identification of seven important environmental parameters effective in the microscale analysis of a COS: geographical location, meteorological situation, urban form, surface materials, amount of vegetation and watershed, and anthropogenic pollution. Analysis of the environmental parameters called for a hybrid method that included a detailed field survey and the following set of simulations: sun-path, radiation, sky view factor, and turbulence analysis. The accuracy of the field survey directly contributed to the effectiveness of the simulations. Grasshopper® 3D software and Computational Fluid Dynamics were used to simulate the conditions of the EMU study area. The outcomes show that the spatial organization, building forms, and building orientation negatively affect the COS of EMU. In the Mediterranean climatic region of EMU, shade and flowing breezes greatly enhance comfort and usability of outdoor spaces from April to October. The massive form of buildings and minimal planning for effective building orientation to the sun increased heat storage capacity and neglected prevailing winds, resulting in flow separation and formation of eddies on the leeward side of buildings. These negatively influenced the microclimate, and thereby user comfort, at the core of the EMU’s main COS.

scholarly journals Urban Form and Microclimatic Conditions in Urban Open Spaces at the Densely Built Centre of a Greek City

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Maria Makropoulou ◽  
Aspa Gospodini
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
City Centre ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Greek City ◽  
Urban Geometry ◽  
Microclimatic Conditions

The paper presents an experimental investigation of the microclimatic conditions in selected open spaces in the city centre of Volos, a medium-sized coastal city in Greece. It presents the results of systematic field measurements that took place in three urban sites; a public open space and two typical urban blocks. The measurements were carried out during the summer of 2013 and concerned air temperature and relative humidity recordings. Data collection was used to assess the formation and the eventual differentiation of microclimate on a restricted local scale in the urban environment, such as that of a typical urban block or/and a typical public square in the centre of Greek cities. Additionally, research has taken into account buildings construction materials, the predominant paving materials and the key parameters determined by urban geometry in the selected sites, i.e the Aspect Ratio (H/W) and the Sky View Factor (SVF). The measurements revealed microclimatic differences within the inside open space of two of the urban blocks, i.e the courtyard generated of the different building ownerships, the various street canyons and the recordings of the local meteorological station.

The ‘Closed/Open’ Duality in Contemporary Urban Form

2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Melinda Benko
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Urban System ◽  
Urban Structure ◽  
Master Plan ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
New Type ◽  
The City ◽  
Time Density ◽  
System Today

One of the innumerable ways to systemise contemporary European urban projects is to analyse the urban form originates from the master-plan concept. The duality of closed and open urban situations is an excellent conceptual tool for classification. This classification helps us to recognise, understand and represent the diversity of the city, as it is present on each level of a settlement and architecture. In the case of “Solid-oriented” projects construction and emplacement of buildings are the main goals. The principle of “Solid-oriented” projects are based on two very different, still existing traditions One is the classical European closed block structure, while the other one is the Modernist open urban system. Today we can identify two new approaches combining those two traditions in different ways. Urban transparency preserves streets, the effect of enclosure, and the dominance of buildings. At the same time density is coupled with spaciousness, blocks are fractured and the environment becomes more complex even within one block. The in-between method, based on the idea of structuralism, attempts to balance the importance of mass and space and creates permeable blocks in a new open urban structure. Besides creating urban volumes or buildings in the city, there is a new type of challenge in contemporary urban design. Since the 1990's attention has shifted to cityscape, i.e. to re-interpreting and reforming open spaces. The international literature calls this un-volumetric architecture. The duality of openness and closedness also appears here. While openness seems to dominate urban situations in contemporary cities, buildings are predominantly used in a closed manner.

Spatial patterns of meiofauna and diversity of nematode species assemblages in the Uvea lagoon (Loyalty Islands, South Pacific)

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 931-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Guo ◽  
M.-N. Helleouet ◽  
G. Boucher
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
Local Composition ◽  
Total Species Richness

Meiofauna assemblages were investigated at 15 stations on triplicated samples in the Uvea Atoll (Loyalty Islands) in relation to 9 selected environmental parameters. Spatial patterns and variability of meiofauna density were quantified according to location, macrofauna and nematode species assemblages. Meiofauna was dominated by ciliates and nematodes. Densities of total meiofauna and of most of the meiofauna taxa were significantly higher in the back reef North Pléiades stations than the leeward side of the Island. The highest correlation between biotic patterns and environmental parameters that best explains the pattern was with sediment thickness and to a lesser extent organic matter, C/N ratio and depth. One hundred and thirty-four nematode species were identified with four dominant species Chromadora macrolaimoides, an undescribed species of Bolbonema, Daptonema svalbardense and Prochromadorella septempapillata. Three significantly different nematode species assemblages were detected in two of the previously described macrofauna assemblages by cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling methods suggesting that nematodes are more sensible ecological indicators than macrofauna. Diversity indices based on dominance were not significantly different among the three nematode species assemblages but indices based on species richness and rarefaction were significantly higher leeward of Uvea Island. Estimates of total species richness showed no sign of stabilizing with sample size. However, rare species stabilized very quickly, whereas abundant species were added with increasing sampling coverage, indicating a high spatial variability of the local composition of nematodes.

Gender, Class, Caste and Participation

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupama Lama ◽  
Marlène Buchy
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Participatory Process ◽  
User Groups ◽  
Forest User Groups ◽  
Forest User

Based on an extensive literature and illustrated by a field survey of two Forest User Groups in Nepal, this paper explores how participation in community forestry is affected by social status and more so by gender. Looking more specifically at gender differences, the paper presents the reasons and the ways in which women, despite the current rhetoric, remain excluded from any meaningful participatory process.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF THE INTRA-CITY VARIATION OF URBAN HEAT ISLAND AND ITS RELATION TO LAND SURFACE/COVER PARAMETERS

2016 ◽  
Vol III-8 ◽  
pp. 123-129
Author(s):  
D. Gerçek ◽  
İ. T. Güven ◽  
İ. Ç. Oktay
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Urban Heat Island ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Urban Form ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Heat Island ◽  
Surface Cover ◽  
Urban Heat

Along with urbanization, sealing of vegetated land and evaporation surfaces by impermeable materials, lead to changes in urban climate. This phenomenon is observed as temperatures several degrees higher in densely urbanized areas compared to the rural land at the urban fringe particularly at nights, so-called Urban Heat Island. Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is related with urban form, pattern and building materials so far as it is associated with meteorological conditions, air pollution, excess heat from cooling. UHI effect has negative influences on human health, as well as other environmental problems such as higher energy demand, air pollution, and water shortage. <br><br> Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect has long been studied by observations of air temperature from thermometers. However, with the advent and proliferation of remote sensing technology, synoptic coverage and better representations of spatial variation of surface temperature became possible. This has opened new avenues for the observation capabilities and research of UHIs. <br><br> In this study, "UHI effect and its relation to factors that cause it" is explored for İzmit city which has been subject to excess urbanization and industrialization during the past decades. Spatial distribution and variation of UHI effect in İzmit is analysed using Landsat 8 and ASTER day & night images of 2015 summer. Surface temperature data derived from thermal bands of the images were analysed for UHI effect. Higher temperatures were classified into 4 grades of UHIs and mapped both for day and night. <br><br> Inadequate urban form, pattern, density, high buildings and paved surfaces at the expanse of soil ground and vegetation cover are the main factors that cause microclimates giving rise to spatial variations in temperatures across cities. These factors quantified as land surface/cover parameters for the study include vegetation index (NDVI), imperviousness (NDISI), albedo, solar insolation, Sky View Factor (SVF), building envelope, distance to sea, and traffic space density. These parameters that cause variation in intra-city temperatures were evaluated for their relationship with different grades of UHIs. Zonal statistics of UHI classes and variations in average value of parameters were interpreted. The outcomes that highlight local temperature peaks are proposed to the attention of the decision makers for mitigation of Urban Heat Island effect in the city at local and neighbourhood scale.

scholarly journals Spatial distribution of tuna larvae in the Gulf of Gabes (Eastern Mediterranean) in relation with environmental parameters

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. KOCHED ◽  
A. HATTOUR ◽  
F. ALEMANY ◽  
A. GARCIA ◽  
K. SAID
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Gulf Of Gabes ◽  
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna ◽  
Gulf Of Gabès ◽  
Moderate Salinity ◽  
Regular Sampling ◽  
Distribution And Ecology

Spatial distribution and ecology of the larvae of three tuna species (Thunnus thynnus, Auxis rochei and Euthynnus alletteratus) were studied during an ichthyoplankton survey carried out in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) in June and July 2009. A total of 80 stations, distributed on a regular sampling grid, were sampled. The main objectives of this survey were to provide information on tuna larvae distribution in the Gulf of Gabes in relation to the environmental parameters. Regarding small tunas, larvae of A. rochei (bullet tuna) showed the more widespread distribution, being found at both inshore and offshore stations. E. alletteratus (Atlantic black skipjack) larvae were mainly found at the inshore stations covering the wide continental shelf of this region. On the other hand, larvae of the large migratory tuna T. Thynnus (Atlantic bluefin tuna), were mainly recorded at offshore stations, suggesting that spawning possibly takes place mainly near the shelf break. Regarding the biological and physical parameters examined, our results indicate that tuna larvae were mainly collected in oligotrophic and mixed waters resulting from the confluence of surface water of recent Atlantic origin and resident surface Mediterranean waters, as shown by their preference for lower chlorophyll a concentrations (from 1.4 to 2.5 mg m-3) and moderate salinity values (between 37.35 and 37.75). Significantly, tuna larvae seemed to avoid the more eutrophic and saltier waters of the gulf situated very close to the coast and around Kerkennah and Djerba islands.

scholarly journals Picoplankton Distribution and Activity in the Deep Waters of the Southern Adriatic Sea

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danijela Šantić ◽  
Vedrana Kovačević ◽  
Manuel Bensi ◽  
Michele Giani ◽  
Ana Vrdoljak Tomaš ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Heterotrophic Bacteria ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria ◽  
Heterotrophic Nanoflagellates ◽  
Nucleic Acid Content ◽  
Viral Lysis ◽  
Deep Waters

Southern Adriatic (Eastern Mediterranean Sea) is a region strongly dominated by large-scale oceanographic processes and local open-ocean dense water formation. In this study, picoplankton biomass, distribution, and activity were examined during two oceanographic cruises and analyzed in relation to environmental parameters and hydrographic conditions comparing pre and post-winter phases (December 2015, April 2016). Picoplankton density with the domination of autotrophic biomasses was higher in the pre-winter phase when significant amounts of picoaoutotrophs were also found in the meso-and bathy-pelagic layers, while Synechococcus dominated the picoautotrophic group. Higher values of bacterial production and domination of High Nucleic Acid content bacteria (HNA bacteria) were found in deep waters, especially during the post-winter phase, suggesting that bacteria can have an active role in the deep-sea environment. Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria accounted for a small proportion of total heterotrophic bacteria but contributed up to 4% of bacterial carbon content. Changes in the picoplankton community were mainly driven by nutrient availability, heterotrophic nanoflagellates abundance, and water mass movements and mixing. Our results suggest that autotrophic and heterotrophic members of the picoplankton community are an important carbon source in the food web in the deep-sea, as well as in the epipelagic layer. Besides, viral lysis may affect the activity of the picoplankton community and enrich the water column with dissolved organic carbon.

Analysis of urban thermal environments based on the perception and simulation of the microclimate in the historic city of Tlemcen

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wafa Ghaffour ◽  
Mohammed Nabil Ouissi ◽  
Marc André Velay Dabat
Keyword(s):  
Urban Form ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

PurposeThe preservation of historic urban centres prevents anarchic development of the city and ensures a harmonious evolution of the urban form. It also improves the quality of life in the context of climate and environmental change. Morphological and geometric indicators of the urban fabric are key parameters in the formation of external microclimates. They provide a positive effect on the thermal comfort of pedestrians. The objective of this work is to study the impact of the site morphology on the external microclimate and to understand the relationship between the subjective perception and the objective quantification of the thermal environment. The result of this study has allowed us to propose solutions for the creation of a microclimate favourable to the appropriation of outdoor spaces. The authors finally propose guidelines for the design and rehabilitation of the historic site based on the establishment of links between the site's configuration, microclimatic conditions and users' perceptions.Design/methodology/approachPart of this study included the analysis of the microclimate of the historic “Bab El Hadid” district of the City of Tlemcen, by developing a questionnaire survey and a numerical simulation validated by measurements of the microclimate the authors made on site. To complete this task, the authors applied the Envi-met 4.1 model during the coldest month of the winter and the hottest month of the summer. Urban parameters are represented at different measurement points characterised by a variability of the sky view factor (SVF).FindingsThe results presented in terms of average expected the predicted mean vote (PMV) voting, solar access and air temperature. They show that thermal conditions are directly related to the SVF, the height/width ratio (H/L) of streets as well as the orientation of urban canyons. The points located in the streets facing North–South, present an acceptable performance. Streets shaded by trees with a canyon aspect ratio of between 1.18 and 1.70 reduce heat stress in outdoor spaces. The PMV models discussed provide information on the most appropriate locations for pedestrians. The authors have proposed urban orientations that could limit unfavourable conditions in outdoor spaces. They are useful for architects and urban planners in the design and rehabilitation of historic centres.Originality/valueIn Tlemcen, the microclimate is not taken into account in the design and rehabilitation of urban fabrics. For this specific purpose, the authors want to stress in the research the importance of safeguarding urban heritage through the renewal of the old city and the bioclimatic rehabilitation of its urban spaces.

scholarly journals Correlation between Indoor Environmental Data and Biometric Parameters for the Impact Assessment of a Living Wall in a ZEB Lab

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2523
Author(s):  
Francesco Salamone ◽  
Benedetta Barozzi ◽  
Ludovico Danza ◽  
Matteo Ghellere ◽  
Italo Meroni
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Gradient Boosting ◽  
View Factor ◽  
Accuracy Score ◽  
Biometric Data ◽  
Extreme Gradient Boosting ◽  
Living Wall ◽  
Plant Configuration ◽  
The Impact

Users’ satisfaction in indoor spaces plays a key role in building design. In recent years, scientific research has focused more and more on the effects produced by the presence of greenery solutions in indoor environments. In this study, the Internet of Things (IoT) concept is used to define an effective solution to monitor indoor environmental parameters, along with the biometric data of users involved in an experimental campaign conducted in a Zero Energy Building laboratory where a living wall has been installed. The growing interest in the key theory of the IoT allows for the development of promising frameworks used to create datasets usually managed with Machine Learning (ML) approaches. Following this tendency, the dataset derived by the proposed infield research has been managed with different ML algorithms in order to identify the most suitable model and influential variables, among the environmental and biometric ones, that can be used to identify the plant configuration. The obtained results highlight how the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)-based model can obtain the best average accuracy score to predict the plant configuration considering both a selection of environmental parameters and biometric data as input values. Moreover, the XGBoost model has been used to identify the users with the highest accuracy considering a combination of picked biometric and environmental features. Finally, a new Green View Factor index has been introduced to characterize how greenery has an impact on the indoor space and it can be used to compare different studies where green elements have been used.

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