Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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Methodology
The methodological approach adopted in this study was to separate the problem into two
steps. First a portion of the street was selected to evaluate the outdoor comfort effects
before and after the development of buildings on the street. This is defined as the initial
model from ground observations, which enabled the completion of the model from
images and observation of the urban morphology, vegetation, type of soil, dimensions
and shapes of buildings, followed by the analysis of relevant weather data to be used as
input data. The second phase was essentially developed in the laboratory; generation of
input files needed to use the ENVI-met software, and the reading and interpretation of
output files.
Simulations
Glasgow City (55°51'N, 04°12'W) is situated in an area which is characterised by a Cfb
temperate climate type, according to Koeppen-Geiger’s climate classification, being
especially smooth due to strong maritime influences. The significant precipitation in all
seasons is a distinctive characteristic of this region (average annual precipitation in
Glasgow is 1100 mm). The average maximum temperatures in the warmest months
(July and August) stay below 20°C, but with at least five months averaging above 10°C
(UK Meteorological Office - Historic station data 2012).
The computer simulations have been made using the ENVI-met software (Bruse 2010),
developed for climate simulations in urban areas. Leonardo software 3.75 (Bruse 2009)
was the method used to view results. The simulated area had 609 m by 344 m and was
defined in a 3 x 3m grid for the generation of the input file for the program. Figure 2
shows the graphical representation of the site, with the specifications of albedo and
pavements, vegetation and buildings. The simulation was computed for a period of 48
hours but the outcomes represented here refer only to the 1 p.m. results.
Figure 2: Graphical representation of the site, built in ENVI-met, with the specifications of the
coatings, vegetation and buildings.
