Browsing by Author "Lobaccaro, Gabriele"
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Item Applications of Models and Tools for Mesoscale and Microscale Thermal Analysis in Mid-Latitude Climate Regions—A Review(2021-11-10) Lobaccaro, Gabriele; De Ridder, Koen; Acero, Juan Angel; Hooyberghs, Hans; Lauwaet, Dirk; Maiheu, Bino; Sharma, Richa; Govehovitch, Benjamin; Tecnalia Research & InnovationUrban analysis at different spatial scales (micro- and mesoscale) of local climate conditions is required to test typical artificial urban boundaries and related climate hazards such as high temperatures in built environments. The multitude of finishing materials and sheltering objects within built environments produce distinct patterns of different climate conditions, particularly during the daytime. The combination of high temperatures and intense solar radiation strongly perturb the environment by increasing the thermal heat stress at the pedestrian level. Therefore, it is becoming common practice to use numerical models and tools that enable multiple design and planning alternatives to be quantitatively and qualitatively tested to inform urban planners and decision-makers. These models and tools can be used to compare the relationships between the micro-climatic environment, the subjective thermal assessment, and the social behaviour, which can reveal the attractiveness and effectiveness of new urban spaces and lead to more sustainable and liveable public spaces. This review article presents the applications of selected environmental numerical models and tools to predict human thermal stress at the mesoscale (e.g., satellite thermal images and UrbClim) and the microscale (e.g., mobile measurements, ENVI-met, and UrbClim HR) focusing on case study cities in mid-latitude climate regions framed in two European research projects.Item Comparative analysis of green actions to improve outdoor thermal comfort inside typical urban street canyons(2015-12-01) Lobaccaro, Gabriele; Acero, Juan A.; Tecnalia Research & InnovationUrban microclimate analyses are being used more and more to address the planning decision process to create livable and healthy public spaces. The study, conducted in collaboration with the municipality of Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain), presents a comparative analysis of green actions to improve outdoor thermal comfort conditions. The evaluation was performed in three typical urban street canyons characterized by different geometric proportions and five urban greenery scenarios in typical summer day conditions. For each scenario, the mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, air temperature, surface temperature and wind speed have been analyzed using ENVI-met model. The study quantitatively confirms that the vegetation elements such as grass, green roofs and trees, improves the thermal comfort at pedestrian level. Thermal comfort is assessed using the PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature) thermal index. The highest PET reduction occurs by combining the presence of trees and grass, which can lead to a reduction of about two PET thermophysiological assessment classes during the daily maximum values. Additionally, the work demonstrates how aspect ratio and ground surface materials can affect the intensity and the duration of discomfort period (PET > 23 C). The outcomes will be used by the municipality of Bilbao to improve the actual planning recommendations.