Sustainable Urban Design and Climate
CLIMATE AND URBAN DESIGN - THE REWARDS!
When climate expertise is part of the urban design team's skills: -
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the full potential for using solar energy is realised;
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air drainage patterns carry pollutants away from residential areas;
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city-dwellers enjoy improved levels of climatic comfort; and
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the site of a new town is chosen to lessen danger from natural hazards.
In the climatically optimum city, the thermal comfort and even the health
of some city-dwellers improves. Less energy is needed for indoor temperature
control. Peak power demand and peak stormwater run-off are reduced, saving
on the cost of city infrastructure.
DESIGNING WITH CLIMATE
Some of the things which can be done: -
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In a hot dry climate,
sun protection is essential (we need shade, and pale surfaces to reflect
the sun's radiation). Glare and reflected heat from these pale surfaces
can be reduced by shading from eaves, verandahs and from vegetation.
Trees are Nature's own evaporative coolers - perfect for the dry climate,
if water supply permits. Trees will also filter blowing dust from
the air.
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In a warm humid climate,
we need air movement to keep us comfortable. Streets and buildings
are oriented to catch the breezes. A mix of building heights promotes
ventilation. Vegetation must not impede air movement: trees with branches
far from the ground, such as palms, would be ideal. Rainfall may be
heavy, so permeable surfaces are needed, to reduce urban stormwater
runoff.
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What to do when summer is too hot and winter is too cold?
In a temperate climate, the
wind direction usually changes with the season. It may be possible
to choose a street layout which will block the winter wind, yet allow
cooling summer breezes through the city. As an example, have a look
at a suggested street layout modelled
on Coolangatta.
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In cooler parts of the temperate zone, or on exposed
sites, we need maximum wind protection (tree shelter belts, closely
spaced buildings of constant height, main streets perpendicular to
the prevailing wind).
Have a look at a map showing where these climate
zones occur.
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