Influence of urban planning regulations on the microclimate in a hot dry climate: The example of Damascus, Syria

Summary, in English

Urban planning regulations influence not only the urban form; they also have a great impact on the microclimate in urban areas. This paper deals with the relationship between the urban planning regulations and microclimate in the hot dry city of Damascus. The main purpose is to highlight the shortcomings of the existing urban planning regulations. The microclimatic parameters necessary for the thermal comfort assessment of pedestrians were determined through simulations with the software ENVI-met. It is shown that the street design-as regards aspect ratio, orientation and the presence of trees-has a great influence on ground surface temperatures and thermal comfort. Moreover, the type of buildings-whether detached or attached (street canyons)-has an impact. For deep canyons there is an interactive relationship between aspect ratio, orientation and vegetation. However, for streets with detached buildings, there is only a weak influence of street orientation and aspect ratio but a strong influence of vegetation on surface temperatures and outdoor thermal comfort. The study shows the importance of modifying the planning regulations in Damascus for new areas by allowing smaller setbacks, narrower streets, higher buildings, etc.

• Author: Moohammed Wasim Yahia; Erik Johansson
• Department/s: Housing Development and Management
• Publishing year: 2013
• Language: English
• Pages: 51-65
• Publication/Series: Journal of Housing and the Built Environment
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 1
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10901-012-9280-y
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Springer
• Topic: Architecture
• Keywords: Aspect ratio; Damascus; Hot dry climate; Microclimate; Planning; regulations; Street design; Thermal comfort; Vegetation
• Status: Published
• Research group: Housing Development and Management
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1573-7772