Impact of Form and Density on the Urban Outdoor Space Comfort in Hot and dry Climate
Abstract
In recent years, rapid urbanization and a tremendous increase in population have exerted pressure on urban developments in developing countries. The strategy adopted by most governments in the past twenty years in Algeria was that of densification. New and different urban forms have evolved from this strategy, but resulting in a loss of public green spaces and creating new problems in terms of environmental issues. The present paper examines the relationships between forms and resulting environmental parameters such as temperature, ventilation, relative humidity. The investigation is carried out by using the three dimensional numerical model « Envi-met 4.0 » which simulates the microclimatic parameters within urban environment and neighborhood. Models calculations are run for typical summer day „Design Day July 21st ‟ in Biskra, south East of Algeria (34,48° N, 5,4° E), a region characterized by a hot and dry climate. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines for architects and urban designers in order to develop new strategies and urban forms for a better and sustainable urban space.
Keywords
Hot and dry climate, Outdoor space comfort, Urban density, Urban form, Urban microclimate