Evaluation of the Impact of Courtyard Layout on Wind Effects on Coastal Traditional Settlements

In the context of global climate change, the rising frequency of extreme weather events has increasingly highlighted their impact on human settlements. This study examines the influence of courtyard layout on the wind environment in coastal, traditional villages, focusing on its relevance and importance for enhancing living comfort and preserving cultural heritage. Utilizing data from 204 typical courtyards in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China, 18 representative courtyard models were abstracted and analyzed for their winter wind conditions using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The study findings indicate (1) that an increase in the courtyard area index gradually decreases wind comfort, with the most optimal wind comfort, stability, and adaptability observed in courtyards of 15 m2, 15 m2, and 110 m2. (2) Wind comfort follows a fluctuating pattern as the aspect ratio changes. Courtyards with aspect ratios of 0.8, 1, and 1.2 demonstrate the highest levels of wind comfort, stability, and adjustability. (3) Wind comfort varies in a wave-like manner depending on orientation, with courtyards facing northeast, southeast, and northwest providing superior wind comfort, stability, and adjustability. These findings offer insights into optimizing courtyard designs to enhance environmental quality and promote sustainable living in coastal, traditional villages.