Aᵃ-effect : suburban domesticity and the in-between as space of activity

This dissertation demonstrates the contemporary relevance of Brechtian critical and performative method within architectural studies. The significance of Brechtian criticality is given an extra impetus by Lieven De Cauter’s more recent theory of “capsular civilisation” and Jean Baudrillard’s concept of “Integral Reality.” Brecht’s thesis proposes that nothing is a given, definite situation, but rather that everything ranging from the human condition to social situations consist of ever-changing ensembles. This Brechtian perceptual pattern (an adaptation of his A-effect), suggests the spectator and user are equally capable of altering and working the areas in-between sociopolitico- cultural polarities, even the interiorities and hetero-topologies of contemporary civilisation. The current study discusses some spatial dyads related to domesticity, ‘urbansuburban,’ ‘in-out,’ and ‘prototype-counterfeit,’ in relation to the more generic oppositions, ‘subject-object,’ ‘chaos-definition,’ and ‘organism-surroundings.’ The elaboration of some relational and spatial considerations of the A-effect in scenes of suburban domesticity attempts to foreground the in-between area as a space of activity within architectural theory and practice

The impact of sea breeze under different synoptic patterns on air pollution within Athens basin

Air quality in densely populated urban coastal areas is directly related to the coupling of the synoptic and the local scale flows. The dispersion conditions within Athens basin, under the influence of different meteorological forcings, lead to distinct spatio-temporal air pollution patterns. The aim of the current observational research is to identify and examine the effect of sea breeze under different atmospheric circulation patterns on air pollution levels for a one-year study period (2007). The study employs surface pressure maps, routine meteorological observations at two coastal sites and nitrogen monoxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations from a network of four air quality stations within the Athens basin. A three-step methodology is applied that incorporates a set of criteria for classifying atmospheric circulation and identifying sea breeze events under each circulation pattern. Two types of sea breeze development are identified (pure sea breeze-PSB and modified sea breeze-MSB) with distinct characteristics. Sea breeze is found to develop more frequently under offshore compared to onshore and parallel to the shoreline background flows. Poor dispersion conditions (high nitrogen oxides-NOx and O3 concentrations) are connected to the pure sea breeze cases and to those cases where sea breeze interacts with a moderate northerly flow during the warm period. The levels of NOx and O3 for the northern Athens basin area are found to be significantly higher during the sea breeze days compared to the Etesian days. Regarding the diurnal variation of ozone for the sea breeze days, peak concentrations and higher intra-daily ranges are observed. Day-to-day pollution accumulation (build-up effect) is measured for O3 at the northern stations in the Athens basin. © 2012 Elsevier B.V

Quantifying the Trends in Land Surface Temperature and Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity in Mediterranean Cities in View of Smart Urbanization

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is a key parameter for the estimation of urban fluxes as well as for the assessment of the presence and strength of the surface urban heat island (SUHI). In an urban environment, LST depends on the way the city has been planned and developed over time. To this end, the estimation of LST needs adequate spatial and temporal data at the urban scale, especially with respect to land cover/land use. The present study is divided in two parts: at first, satellite data from MODIS-Terra 8-day product (MOD11A2) were used for the analysis of an eighteen-year time series (2001–2017) of the LST spatial and temporal distribution in five major cities of the Mediterranean during the summer months. LST trends were retrieved and assessed for their statistical significance. Secondly, LST values and trends for each city were examined in relation to land cover characteristics and patterns in order to define the contribution of urban development and planning on LST; this information is important for the drafting of smart urbanization policies and measures. Results revealed (a) positive LST trends in the urban areas especially during nighttime ranging from +0.412 °K in Marseille to +0.923 °K in Cairo and (b) the SUHI has intensified during the last eighteen years especially during daytime in European Mediterranean cities, such as Rome (+0.332 °K) and Barcelona (+0.307 °K)

Winter atmospheric circulation patterns and their relationship with the meteorological conditions in Greece

This study presents an analysis of the relationship between winter large-scale circulation and surface meteorological conditions over Greece for the period 1979-2009. The adopted methodology involves the application of an automated atmospheric circulation classification scheme based on the self-organizing map approach. The impact of each of the identified relevant 19 winter atmospheric circulation patterns on local meteorological condition is examined at seven sites by calculating the corresponding differences from the mean meteorological conditions. The conditional transition probabilities of circulation patterns indicate the existence of increased 1-day persistence, especially for the anticyclonic and the pattern related to Genoa depressions. Positive temperature anomalies are observed for the cyclonic patterns, while negative anomalies are attributed to the effect of anticyclonic circulation. © 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien

Recognition of thermal hot and cold spots in Urban areas in support of mitigation plans to counteract overheating: Application for Athens

Mitigation plans to counteract overheating in urban areas need to be based on a thorough knowledge of the state of the thermal environment, most importantly on the presence of areas which consistently demonstrate higher or lower urban land surface temperatures (hereinafter referred to as "hot spots" or "cold spots", respectively). The main objective of this research study is to develop a methodological approach for the recognition of thermal "hot spots" and "cold spots" in urban areas during summer; this is accomplished with (a) the combined use of high and medium spatial resolution satellite data (Landsat 8 and Terra-MODIS, respectively); (b) the downscaling of the Terra-MODIS satellite data so as to acquire spatial resolution similar to the Landsat one and at the same time take advantage of the high revisit time as compared to the respective one of Landsat (16 days); and (c) the application of a statistical clustering technique to recognize "hot spots" and "cold spots". The methodological approach was applied as a case study for the urban area of Athens, Greece for a summer period. Results demonstrated the capacity of the methodological approach to recognize "hot spots" and "cold spots", revealed a strong relationship between land use and "hot spots" and "cold spots", and showed that the average land surface temperature (LST) difference between the "hot spots" and "cold spots" can reach 9.1 °K. © 2018 by the authors

Recognition of Thermal Hot and Cold Spots in Urban Areas in Support of Mitigation Plans to Counteract Overheating: Application for Athens

Mitigation plans to counteract overheating in urban areas need to be based on a thorough knowledge of the state of the thermal environment, most importantly on the presence of areas which consistently demonstrate higher or lower urban land surface temperatures (hereinafter referred to as “hot spots” or “cold spots”, respectively). The main objective of this research study is to develop a methodological approach for the recognition of thermal “hot spots” and “cold spots” in urban areas during summer; this is accomplished with (a) the combined use of high and medium spatial resolution satellite data (Landsat 8 and Terra-MODIS, respectively); (b) the downscaling of the Terra-MODIS satellite data so as to acquire spatial resolution similar to the Landsat one and at the same time take advantage of the high revisit time as compared to the respective one of Landsat (16 days); and (c) the application of a statistical clustering technique to recognize “hot spots” and “cold spots”. The methodological approach was applied as a case study for the urban area of Athens, Greece for a summer period. Results demonstrated the capacity of the methodological approach to recognize “hot spots” and “cold spots”, revealed a strong relationship between land use and “hot spots” and “cold spots”, and showed that the average land surface temperature (LST) difference between the “hot spots” and “cold spots” can reach 9.1 °K

DISARM early warning system for wildfires in the Eastern Mediterranean

This paper discusses the main achievements of DISARM (Drought and fIre ObServatory and eArly waRning system) project, which developed an early warning system for wildfires in the Eastern Mediterranean. The four pillars of this system include (i) forecasting wildfire danger, (ii) detecting wildfires with remote sensing techniques, (iii) forecasting wildfire spread with a coupled weather-fire modeling system, and (iv) assessing the wildfire risk in the frame of climate change. Special emphasis is given to the innovative and replicable parts of the system. It is shown that for the effective use of fire weather forecasting in different geographical areas and in order to account for the local climate conditions, a proper adjustment of the wildfire danger classification is necessary. Additionally, the consideration of vegetation dryness may provide better estimates of wildfire danger. Our study also highlights some deficiencies of both EUMETSAT (Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) and LSA-SAF (Satellite Application Facility on Land Surface Analysis) algorithms in their skill to detect wildfires over islands and near the coastline. To tackle this issue, a relevant modification is proposed. Furthermore, it is shown that IRIS, the coupled atmosphere-fire modeling system developed in the frame of DISARM, has proven to be a valuable supporting tool in fire suppression actions. Finally, assessment of the wildfire danger in the future climate provides the necessary context for the development of regional adaptation strategies to climate change. © 2020 by the authors