EVALUATING THE TRANSFORMATION OF LAND USE AND MORPHOLOGY ON THE MICROCLIMATE: THE CASE OF GEMMAYZEH NEIGHBOURHOOD – BEIRUT

This paper investigates the effect of urban areas on local climate by examining the correlation between urban morphology, land use and urban thermal climates. It focuses on Gemmayzeh area in Beirut. Urban parameters were evaluated by developing an energy balance model with the aim of understanding how heterogeneous geometry, height, and finishing material can change the mechanical and thermal structure of the urban atmosphere. It simulates the current urban condition in order to compare it with other scenarios using ENVI-met 4.The results from the numerical simulation reveal that a network of green infrastructure connecting the existing green patches can ameliorate heat extraction and improve the outdoor thermal comfort level. The PMV value at the pedestrian level is reduced from extreme heat stress to moderate heat stress near the green areas. The study concludes that Beirut city center can mitigate the urban heat island by using vegetation and especially green roofs and densification of high trees in the left over spaces

Optimising the urban environment through holistic Microclimate Modelling – The case of Beirut's pericenter

Various studies have suggested that urbanisation may significantly alter microclimate conditions. To address this, expanding urban vegetation cover can be used to aid the dissipation of excess heat through enhancing evapotranspiration. This study aims to numerically assess and optimize the use of green corridors to reconnect leftover and in-between building plots within Beirut city centre through the use of ENVI-met V4, a holistic microclimate modelling system used to optimize green infrastructure strategy to improve pedestrian comfort levels. Analysis results illustrate the significant effect of urban intervention strategies in decreasing pedestrian heat stress, where the air temperature is reduced by 4-5 (PET) °C. Furthermore, a correlation between the leaf area density and PET values was identified. In the wider context, this work supports the case for the application of ecological urbanism supported by integrated micro-urban environment modelling as a catalyst for the improvement of the quality of urban space

Monitoring participatory approaches in Mediterranean waterfront developments (El Mina, Lebanon; Alexandria, Egypt; and Antalya, Turkey)

Public participation is an important tool for communities to influence development decisions for public spaces in general and waterfronts in particular. In coastal cities, waterfronts are an important touristic attraction and are affected by social and economic issues. Users’ activities and responsiveness to waterfront projects are affected by the development types and methods. This study is part of ongoing research aiming to evaluate the participatory approach methods in the waterfronts of Mediterranean cities. It examines three coastal cities that have developed differently based on sustainable development studies. This study is a top–down approach that investigates the applied phases and methods of participation and evaluates these involvements after comparison with the preferred phases and methods. This paper uses qualitative and quantitative methods, which are based on analysis of social studies about participation priorities. It uses methods such as documentation, lengthy interviews and questionnaires with visitors. The outcome of this research proves the need for application of participatory approaches in Mediterranean cities

THE IMPACT OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ON THECONSERVATION PRACTICE OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGTHECASE OF LEBANESE COASTAL ZONE

It is widely acknowledged that a multidisciplinary approach should be adopted to conserve historical buildings that include indoor environmental features. This paper discusses the effect of healthier indoor environment requirements on the conservation of historical buildings. Conservation, being an essential sustainable practice using inherited built assets to satisfy present needs, imposes limitations on the intervention that can be induced to historical buildings. Healthier indoor environment requires controlling various factors as Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort, which directly affect the Heat-Air- Moisture transfer (hygrothermal behavior) of the historic building envelope and may lead to its deterioration and degradation. Focusing on the historic built fabric of the Lebanese coastal zone, this paper investigates the impact of Indoor climate control on the pathology of the historic building envelope and presents recommendations that mitigate that impact while preserving both conservation requirements and occupant comfort. A case study analysis is conducted to identify the qualitative parameters in the Indoor space of an 18th century heritage building located in the coastal zone of Lebanon and used as public building. The conclusion highlights the potential for comfort establishment in refurbished historic building through raising awareness in relation to occupant behavior and identifying scientific approaches to control hygrothermal behavior of the historic envelope, by the mean of whole building simulation software, which adds significant contribution to the conservation practice

THE IMPACT OF PLASTERING ON THE HYGROTHERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF HISTORICAL SANDSTONE LOCATED IN THE COASTAL REGION OF LEBANON

In an unusual trend in the conservation practice of built heritage in Lebanon, the external plaster layer, which protects the sandstone from weathering factors, is being removed for aesthetic reasons. These buildings are in a coastal region, hot humid climate in the summer and moderate cold weather in the winter. This paper discusses the importance of external and internal plastering of the historical sandstone bearing wall, by the mean of a computational tool that underlines the role of the plastering in the hygrothermal behaviour of the historical stone, in the aim to validate the practice of the ancestors in covering the envelope of their buildings to avoid the degradation of these natural stones. The methodology adopted in this paper is a comparative quantitative study, using a hygrothermal simulation modelling tool, named Wufi Pro, which is a standard program for evaluating moisture conditions in building envelopes developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) Stuttgart, Germany. The results are in the form of values for the heat and moisture fluxes through the high porosity sandstone assembly that composes the building envelope. These values represent the hygrothermal behaviour of the stone, and they are compared between two cases, one without plastering while the second has the inner and outer layers of traditional plaster. The analysis of the results is guiding to a conclusion that favours one of the two cases, taking into consideration the interstitial condensation threat avoided by the means of plastering

THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN BEIRUT URBAN PATTERNS ON THE MICROCLIMATE: A REVIEW OF URBAN POLICY AND BUILDING REGULATIONS

Previous studies conducted on Beirut have historically overlooked research in the field of urban microclimate. A better understanding of how Beirut urban development, including zoning and building regulations, has affected the current urban thermal climate is crucial in order to analyse how different factors have led to the structure of the city, including the quality of urban space and the degradation of its natural environment. Within the context of limited government capability to set out strategies for sustainable urban development, this paper examines the historical evolution of the Lebanese building regulations specifically in Beirut and investigates the impact of changes in building regulations on the city’s urban microclimate. The review highlights the historical urban growth of the city and identifies the dynamics that have contributed to the uncontrolled expansion of the built up areas. Analyses linked to the direct effects of the urban morphological features forming a different local microclimate in Beirut. Initial findings highlight the correlations between building regulations and the different urban design factors and how they affect Beirut local climate, resulting in the formulation and adaption of the necessary strategies to alleviate unhealthy urban conditions

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN USER\u27S DENSITIES AND FUNCTIONS DISTRIBUTION ON MEDITERRANEAN WATERFRONTS: STATISTICAL ANALYSIS APPROACH

The type of buildings and activities along the waterfronts have to stimulate the interactivity between public spaces and their users to reach the desired comfort, enjoyment and appropriate densities. This study is part of a continuing research and it aims to highlight the spatial relationship between the type of buildings and the densities on cities waterfronts of the Mediterranean Sea. It undertakes three case studies with different economic and touristic levels. It is a top-bottom approach that analyzes the existing population densities on waterfronts and the surrounding building functions. This paper uses quantitative analysis based on spatial statistics along each of the three waterfronts. The data collection is made through documentation, direct observations, mapping, Global Positioning System, and Geographic Information System software. The outcome of this research evaluates the relationship between functions and population densities to record how locations of functions increase population on waterfronts by making them attractive and recommends how waterfront zoning laws will consider specific land uses and techniques

IMPACT OF BIM ON BUILDING DESIGN QUALITY

During last decades, the aim of new technologies was to develop new information systems to automate manual processes. Large-scale projects in the field of construction industry need a different approach to organize and analyze data creating a database without any duplication or redundancy. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a teamwork process using advanced technologies to generate data modeling. Based on a literature review, the present research proposes a set of hypotheses that links BIM implementation with the enhancement of information sharing capability (ISC) and collaborative decision capability (CDC) in the construction sector of the building industry. Consequently, it relates the degree of BIM use to the design quality enhancement using ISC and CDC as mediators. Towards this end, the research adopts three sets of criteria namely, functionality, form and aesthetic values, and building construction quality as indicators to design quality improvement. Finally, the research proposes a new conceptual model to set the potential relations between the different variables included in the study. Hence it offers several implications for practitioners and decision makers concerning the importance of BIM to enhance the design quality