Thermal effects of building geometry and spacing on the urban canopy layer microclimate in a hot‐humid climate in summer

A quantitative analysis is presented for evaluating the diurnal thermal impact of proposed building arrangements on the urban canopy layer (UCL) air temperature, in summer in a hot‐humid region. Building configuration along an urban street is quantitatively specified in this study by the building dimensions, by the spacing of the units and by the width of the street. The generic model described here is representative of the actual form of residential buildings found mostly along urban streets in Israel's cities. Sixty different building configurations were studied. The diurnal air temperature pattern in summer was calculated for each configuration using the analytical Green CTTC model, and compared with that of a nearby representative meteorological station at an open site. The results indicate significant thermal effects in the UCL due to the building form. The extent of the maximum impact is about 6.8 K at 1500h, namely ranging from 4.7 K above the value measured at the reference meteorological station (for shallow open spaces with wide spacing), to 2.1 K below this (for deep open spaces with narrow spacing). The statistical analysis of the results indicates the feasibility of assessing the expected maximum thermal effect of building designs of the generic form studied here, through a general linear relationship. This, thereby, provides a useful tool in judging the expected climatic impact of a proposed building design. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society