Resiliencia al cambio climático del entorno construido en la región mediterránea del sur de Europa

El presente trabajo aborda la necesidad de cambio en los modos y formas de construcción de edificios residenciales, presentando la necesidad y resultados de implementar medidas energéticamente pasivas como un elemento fundamental a tener en cuenta dentro del diseño arquitectónico global. Esta importancia se justifica como una solución ante los problemas que se derivan del cambio climático que afectarán, y están afectando, al conjunto de la sociedad y con especial dureza a la población en situaciones de vulnerabilidad (población envejecida, en situación de pobreza energética y/o con minusvalías y enfermedades) Se ha querido localizar este estudio en la región mediterránea del Sur de Europa ya que esta zona presenta grandes retos debido a los tipos de clima que presenta, a las características presentes y futuras del conjunto de su población y a las previsiones de cambio climático que la sitúan como una de las zonas de Europa que peores consecuencias sufrirá, especialmente desde el punto de vista térmico (aumento de las temperaturas y de las olas de calor). Las estrategias energéticas pasivas en el diseño o rehabilitación de un edificio, constituyen el primer paso a considerar en la eficiencia energética de los edificios para alcanzar el objetivo a futuro de una arquitectura y ciudades resilientes. Dichas medidas vienen necesariamente definidas según las condiciones climáticas en las que se ubica el edificio, así como del patrón de uso de los ocupantes del edificio. Además, el bienestar de los usuarios junto con el confort interior de las viviendas son dos elementos fundamentales a tener en cuenta en la consecución de los objetivos ambientales. Esta investigación aborda la problemática descrita, basándose en la revisión bibliográfica de artículos indexados y libros relevantes, así como de aquellos organismos que trabajan específicamente en alguno de los aspectos (IPCC, WHO, EEA, UE, etc).This initial review is about the necessity of change the way of construction in residential buildings, presenting the necessity and results of implementing energy passive strategies as a fundamental element in architectural design. This importance is justified as a solution to the problems that derive from climate change that will affect, and is affecting, our society with special hardness on the population in situations of vulnerability (aging, people in a situation of energy poverty and / or with disabilities and diseases…). This study is focused in the Mediterranean region (South of Europe) because this zone presents great challenges, related with the type of climate that it presents, the present and future characteristics of its population and the predictions of climatic change that place it as one of the areas in Europe that will suffer the worst climate consequences, especially from the thermal point of view (the temperatures and heat waves will rise). Passive energy strategies, in the design or rehabilitation of a building, are the first step to achieve the future objective of a resilient architecture and cities. These strategies are necessarily defined according to the climatic conditions in which the buildings are located, as well as the pattern of use of the occupants of these buildings. In addition, the well-being of the users and the comfort in the homes are two fundamental elements to take into account to achieve the environmental objectives. This research is based on the bibliographic review of indexed articles and relevant books, as well as those organizations that work specifically on the topic of this review (IPCC, WHO, EEA, UE, etc)

Building parameters that influence overheating of apartment buildings in a temperate climate in Southern Europe

Overheating in dwellings is a global concern that is increasing due to global warming and more frequent and extreme heatwaves. This study assesses the relationship between different building parameters (built period, floor level, orientation, window area and solar shading) and compares indoor overheating hours during summer in twelve apartments monitored in Pamplona (North of Spain). They were selected as samples from different Spanish built periods related to different energy regulations, without mechanical cooling and with some kind of exterior solar shading. Overheating hours were calculated using the UNE-EN 16798 standard, which establishes a maximum acceptable operative temperature. This limit is adaptive and it is defined as the exponentially weighted running mean of the daily outdoor temperature. Multilevel mixed-effects linear and logistic regressions were used to analyse and compare overheating hours. Floor level, window area and solar shading were the parameters that showed a significant relationship with indoor overheating hours (p < 0.01). Orientation and built period did not reach a statistically significant value (p > 0.01). It is particularly noteworthy that the apartments built under the current Spanish Energy Regulations (after 2006) do not show a significant reduction in indoor overheating hours compared to those built without any energy regulations. This assessment reveals that current building energy regulations may not be enough to avoid overheating or ensure adaptation to warmer conditions. Therefore, this study contributes to establishing the main building parameters to improve in order to adapt Spanish apartment buildings to warming conditions in temperate climates

Difficulties in the energy renovation processes of district heating buildings. Two case studies in a temperate climate

Renovation at district scale is a key strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumptions by optimising the implementation of renewable energy sources and taking advantage of economies of scale. In this context, this paper focuses on assessing the positive impacts and difficulties after the energy rehabilitation of thermal envelopes in two buildings that belong to two different District Heating systems. The methodology is based on the comparative analysis of indoor temperatures data and energy consumption data of 17 monitored dwellings. The results showed a significant association between the improvement of envelopes and the increase of indoor temperatures in winter (β=0,644). Due to some technical and social barriers, the heating system was not regulated after the rehabilitation, so energy consumption was unnecessarily high, there were situations of indoor overheating in winter (maximum average indoor temperatures between 24-26°C) and these issues produced dissatisfaction on neighbours. In order to avoid these negative consequences, some recommendations are provided, such as informing neighbours about expectations in each step of the long rehabilitation process, reconsidering payments to promote the envelope rehabilitation but maintaining a fixed cost to protect vulnerable groups, and promoting post-occupational studies that contribute to the viability and up-date of this kind of District Heating systems

Encouraging natural ventilation to improve indoor environmental conditions at schools. Case studies in the north of Spain before and during COVID

The COVID pandemic has strongly affected daily life both in Spanish schools and worldwide. Providing the best environmental conditions for children allowing face-to-face learning with healthy and safe indoor spaces is a challenge. In the present study, empirical research about how these environmental conditions change with COVID is presented comparing the situation from March 2020 to January 2021. The methodology combines surveys conducted in nine schools with a case study in a selected school where a detailed monitoring of the building was developed during both heating seasons. This data ana- lyzes the impact of the new COVID prevention protocols on indoor environmental conditions (especially those related to natural ventilation). Results show a mean CO2 reduction of 1,400 ppm, having in the sec- ond term values around 1,000 ppm, although temperatures diminished nearly 2 °C to mean values of 18 °C. Evolution of temperature and CO2 concentration throughout the day was also analyzed, being these indoor conditions especially important for the children with poorer health. Mechanical ventilation with heating recovery should complement natural ventilation, at least during the coldest months or hours of the day, although systems have to be carefully designed and installed to work effectively

Resiliencia al cambio climático del entorno construido en la región mediterránea del sur de Europa

El presente trabajo aborda la necesidad de cambio en los modos y formas de construcción de edificios residenciales, presentando la necesidad y resultados de implementar medidas energéticamente pasivas como un elemento fundamental a tener en cuenta dentro del diseño arquitectónico global. Esta importancia se justifica como una solución ante los problemas que se derivan del cambio climático que afectarán, y están afectando, al conjunto de la sociedad y con especial dureza a la población en situaciones de vulnerabilidad (población envejecida, en situación de pobreza energética y/o con minusvalías y enfermedades) Se ha querido localizar este estudio en la región mediterránea del Sur de Europa ya que esta zona presenta grandes retos debido a los tipos de clima que presenta, a las características presentes y futuras del conjunto de su población y a las previsiones de cambio climático que la sitúan como una de las zonas de Europa que peores consecuencias sufrirá, especialmente desde el punto de vista térmico (aumento de las temperaturas y de las olas de calor). Las estrategias energéticas pasivas en el diseño o rehabilitación de un edificio, constituyen el primer paso a considerar en la eficiencia energética de los edificios para alcanzar el objetivo a futuro de una arquitectura y ciudades resilientes. Dichas medidas vienen necesariamente definidas según las condiciones climáticas en las que se ubica el edificio, así como del patrón de uso de los ocupantes del edificio. Además, el bienestar de los usuarios junto con el confort interior de las viviendas son dos elementos fundamentales a tener en cuenta en la consecución de los objetivos ambientales. Esta investigación aborda la problemática descrita, basándose en la revisión bibliográfica de artículos indexados y libros relevantes, así como de aquellos organismos que trabajan específicamente en alguno de los aspectos (IPCC, WHO, EEA, UE, etc).This initial review is about the necessity of change the way of construction in residential buildings, presenting the necessity and results of implementing energy passive strategies as a fundamental element in architectural design. This importance is justified as a solution to the problems that derive from climate change that will affect, and is affecting, our society with special hardness on the population in situations of vulnerability (aging, people in a situation of energy poverty and / or with disabilities and diseases…). This study is focused in the Mediterranean region (South of Europe) because this zone presents great challenges, related with the type of climate that it presents, the present and future characteristics of its population and the predictions of climatic change that place it as one of the areas in Europe that will suffer the worst climate consequences, especially from the thermal point of view (the temperatures and heat waves will rise). Passive energy strategies, in the design or rehabilitation of a building, are the first step to achieve the future objective of a resilient architecture and cities. These strategies are necessarily defined according to the climatic conditions in which the buildings are located, as well as the pattern of use of the occupants of these buildings. In addition, the well-being of the users and the comfort in the homes are two fundamental elements to take into account to achieve the environmental objectives. This research is based on the bibliographic review of indexed articles and relevant books, as well as those organizations that work specifically on the topic of this review (IPCC, WHO, EEA, UE, etc)

Impulsando el “Tercer maestro”. Influencia de la dimensión espacial del aula en el rendimiento académico del alumnado y en la aplicación de metodologías activas

La dimensión espacial de las aulas es un factor que influye y condiciona los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje que tienen lugar en los centros educativos. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es desarrollar una propuesta de mejora de dicha dimensión, para que ésta colabore en potenciar el rendimiento académico del alumnado y la aplicación de metodologías activas. El estudio teórico realizado destaca la temperatura, la calidad del aire, la calidad acústica, la iluminación (variables ambientales) y la distribución de los alumnos en el aula-mobiliario (variable espacial) como variables influyentes sobre ambos aspectos. Partiendo de este análisis, la propuesta elaborada combina una guía para el tratamiento específico de las variables ambientales y el desarrollo de una intervención participativa, con alumnos y docentes, que trabaja la variable espacial de distribución en el aula.The classrooms’ spatial dimension is one of the factors that influences and conditions the teaching-learning processes that take place in schools. The main objective of this work is to develop a proposal to improve classrooms’ spatial dimension, so that it can collaborate enhancing the students’ academic performance and the application of active methodologies. The theoretical study carried out highlights temperature, air and acoustic quality, lighting (environmental factors) and distribution of students in the classroom-furniture (spatial factor) as influential variables on both aspects. Based on this analysis, the elaborated proposal combines: a guide for the specific treatment of environmental variables and the development of a participatory intervention, with students and teachers that works on the spatial distribution of students in the classroom

Impulsando el “Tercer maestro”. Influencia de la dimensión espacial del aula en el rendimiento académico del alumnado y en la aplicación de metodologías activas

La dimensión espacial de las aulas es un factor que influye y condiciona los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje que tienen lugar en los centros educativos. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es desarrollar una propuesta de mejora de dicha dimensión, para que ésta colabore en potenciar el rendimiento académico del alumnado y la aplicación de metodologías activas. El estudio teórico realizado destaca la temperatura, la calidad del aire, la calidad acústica, la iluminación (variables ambientales) y la distribución de los alumnos en el aula-mobiliario (variable espacial) como variables influyentes sobre ambos aspectos. Partiendo de este análisis, la propuesta elaborada combina una guía para el tratamiento específico de las variables ambientales y el desarrollo de una intervención participativa, con alumnos y docentes, que trabaja la variable espacial de distribución en el aula.The classrooms’ spatial dimension is one of the factors that influences and conditions the teaching-learning processes that take place in schools. The main objective of this work is to develop a proposal to improve classrooms’ spatial dimension, so that it can collaborate enhancing the students’ academic performance and the application of active methodologies. The theoretical study carried out highlights temperature, air and acoustic quality, lighting (environmental factors) and distribution of students in the classroom-furniture (spatial factor) as influential variables on both aspects. Based on this analysis, the elaborated proposal combines: a guide for the specific treatment of environmental variables and the development of a participatory intervention, with students and teachers that works on the spatial distribution of students in the classroom

Building parameters that influence overheating of apartment buildings in a temperate climate in Southern Europe

Overheating in dwellings is a global concern that is increasing due to global warming and more frequent and extreme heatwaves. This study assesses the relationship between different building parameters (built period, floor level, orientation, window area and solar shading) and compares indoor overheating hours during summer in twelve apartments monitored in Pamplona (North of Spain). They were selected as samples from different Spanish built periods related to different energy regulations, without mechanical cooling and with some kind of exterior solar shading. Overheating hours were calculated using the UNE-EN 16798 standard, which establishes a maximum acceptable operative temperature. This limit is adaptive and it is defined as the exponentially weighted running mean of the daily outdoor temperature. Multilevel mixed-effects linear and logistic regressions were used to analyse and compare overheating hours. Floor level, window area and solar shading were the parameters that showed a significant relationship with indoor overheating hours (p < 0.01). Orientation and built period did not reach a statistically significant value (p > 0.01). It is particularly noteworthy that the apartments built under the current Spanish Energy Regulations (after 2006) do not show a significant reduction in indoor overheating hours compared to those built without any energy regulations. This assessment reveals that current building energy regulations may not be enough to avoid overheating or ensure adaptation to warmer conditions. Therefore, this study contributes to establishing the main building parameters to improve in order to adapt Spanish apartment buildings to warming conditions in temperate climates

From urban microclimate to indoor overheating: Analysis of residential typologies during typical climate series and extreme warm summer

Indoor overheating is a current problem due to increasingly higher external temperatures and more frequent and extreme heatwaves which specially impact naturally ventilated dwellings. This paper presents a methodology at neighbourhood-scale to analyse indoor overheating hours (IOH) of residential typologies and to investigate building parameters that most influence IOH. This study is based on energy simulations for two climate scenarios: typical meteorological year and extreme warm summer with heatwaves (2022), and the effect of urban microclimate is considered by using the Urban Weather Generator tool. Results with the typical meteorological year show 0% IOH for all dwellings, while those derived from simulation with summer 2022 show a significant increase in IOH with values above 30% IOH in the most overheated ones. The effect of microclimate is especially relevant in the extreme warm summer and increases the IOH by 7,5% on average. Among the building parameters studied, the number of orientations (related to potential of natural ventilation), orientation and the floor level of the dwellings have the highest influence on IOH. These results could help policy-makers and technicians detect the risk of overheating in cities and buildings and prevent it by improving the adaptation of the residential stock to current warming

Difficulties in the energy renovation processes of district heating buildings. Two case studies in a temperate climate

Renovation at district scale is a key strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumptions by optimising the implementation of renewable energy sources and taking advantage of economies of scale. In this context, this paper focuses on assessing the positive impacts and difficulties after the energy rehabilitation of thermal envelopes in two buildings that belong to two different District Heating systems. The methodology is based on the comparative analysis of indoor temperatures data and energy consumption data of 17 monitored dwellings. The results showed a significant association between the improvement of envelopes and the increase of indoor temperatures in winter (β=0,644). Due to some technical and social barriers, the heating system was not regulated after the rehabilitation, so energy consumption was unnecessarily high, there were situations of indoor overheating in winter (maximum average indoor temperatures between 24-26°C) and these issues produced dissatisfaction on neighbours. In order to avoid these negative consequences, some recommendations are provided, such as informing neighbours about expectations in each step of the long rehabilitation process, reconsidering payments to promote the envelope rehabilitation but maintaining a fixed cost to protect vulnerable groups, and promoting post-occupational studies that contribute to the viability and up-date of this kind of District Heating systems