Analysing the impact of urban morphology on the thermal comfort of the street canyon in a hot and dry climate (Case Study of Kashan, Iran)

Abstract

The relationship between ambient temperature, urban geometry and human activities in cities has been proven by numerous studies. This study aims to analyze the effects of design elements on thermal comfort in hot and dry urban areas by simulating comfort quality. In this regard, impacts of urban geometry on thermal comfort have been simulated in the historical area of Kashan, Iran. The modeling evaluates Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and mean radiant temperature (MRT) in different seasons by Envi-Met. Considering urban designing characters, four sample sections of the case study have been analyzed and then three formal cases have been presented to improve the thermal comfort in the most problematic section. It is concluded that the case in which street vegetation, sideway shading (overhang) and low Albedo materials are taken into account, overweight other cases which are based on the enclosure of urban spaces, the sidewall height and canopy at the middle part of the street. Finally, this article presents a technical and practical process of environmental design.