Bioclimatic Architecture and Urban Morphology. Studies on Intermediate Urban Open Spaces

This paper deals with the interactions between biophysical and microclimatic factors on the one hand with, on the other, the urban morphology of intermediate urban open spaces, the relationship between environmental and bioclimatic thermal comfort, and the implementation of innovative materials and the use of greenery, aimed at the users’ well-being. In particular, the thermal comfort of the open spaces of the consolidated fabrics of the city of Rome is studied, by carrying out simulations of cooling strategies relating to two scenarios applied to Piazza Bainsizza. The first scenario involves the use of cool materials for roofs, cladding surfaces, and pavement, while the second scenario, in addition to the cool materials employed in the first scenario, also includes the use of greenery and permeable green surfaces. The research was performed using summer and winter microclimatic simulations of the CFD (ENVI-met v. 3.1) type, in order to determine the dierent influences of the materials with cold colors, trees, and vegetated surfaces on the thermal comfort of the urban morphology itself. Meanwhile, the comfort assessment was determined through the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) calculated with the RayMan program. The first scenario, with the use of cool materials, improves summer conditions and reduces the urban heat island eect but does not eliminate thermal discomfort due to the lack of shaded surfaces and vegetation. The second scenario, where material renovations is matched with vegetation improvements, has a slightly bad eect on winter conditions but drastically ameliorates the summer situation, both for direct users and, thanks to the strong reduction of the urban heat island eect, to urban inhabitants as a whole

Effects of urban green infrastructure (UGI) on local outdoor microclimate during the growing season

This study analyzed how the variations of plant area index (PAI) and weather conditions alter the influence of urban green infrastructure (UGI) on microclimate. To observe how diverse UGIs affect the ambient microclimate through the seasons, microclimatic data were measured during the growing season at five sites in a local urban area in The Netherlands. Site A was located in an open space; sites B, C, and D were covered by different types and configurations of green infrastructure (grove, a single deciduous tree, and street trees, respectively); and site E was adjacent to buildings to study the effects of their façades on microclimate. Hemispherical photography and globe thermometers were used to quantify PAI and thermal comfort at both shaded and unshaded locations. The results showed that groves with high tree density (site B) have the strongest effect on microclimate conditions. Monthly variations in the differences of mean radiant temperature (∆Tmrt) between shaded and unshaded areas followed the same pattern as the PAI. Linear regression showed a significant positive correlation between PAI and ∆Tmrt. The difference of daily average air temperature (∆Ta) between shaded and unshaded areas was also positively correlated to PAI, but with a slope coefficient below the measurement accuracy (±0.5 °C). This study showed that weather conditions can significantly impact the effectiveness of UGI in regulating microclimate. The results of this study can support the development of appropriate UGI measures to enhance thermal comfort in urban areas

Plug&Play: Self-Sufficient Technological Devices for Outdoor Spaces to Mitigate the UHI Effect

This contribution regards the technological innovation and the transformation of outdoor spaces within the consolidated city where the theme of the research focuses on environmental recovery practices and adaptation to climate change in the open urban public space in the Mediterranean area. In particular, certain innovative technologies are investigated, verifying their effectiveness and impact on environmental sustainability within the urban tissue, with the ultimate aim of ensuring the user’s thermo-hygrometric comfort. in line with directions of “strategies for the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change” defined by the Europe-ADAPT Platform (2012), URBACT III (2014–2020), and the UHI Project (2011–2014), according to the directions of Target 20-20-20 and of the Paris Agreement (COP21, 2015), ratification national law 204/2016 and UN framework. The research presented focuses on different tools for monitoring, mapping, and modeling (Ecotect and Envimet software), probing the relationship between morphology, urban microclimate, and well-being, and analyzing the relationship between urban design and urban climatology at the micro, meso, and macro scales, especially as regards the adoption of strategies to adapt to the climate and mitigate the phenomenon of urban heat island (UHI), particularly felt in Mediterranean cities characterized by consolidated and dense historical urban tissues. Furthermore, attention is focused on social aspects of urban quality, which, especiallyin the Mediterranean area, are deeply linked to outdoor thermal comfort, an area where spaces with good thermal-hygrometric well-being encouragecommunity living, promoting, where well-designed, urban identity and sociality among the inhabitants