Enhancing the livability of urban blocks by assessing and improving the microclimate in the Mediterranean : the case of Peristeri, Athens

Abstract

Population growth and urbanization has led to the intense transformation of the land through building activity for the production of human settlements. One of the consequences is the significant alteration of the microclimate in urban areas where ambient temperature tends to be at least 1-3oC higher in comparison to the suburban or rural areas. Urban warming negatively impacts the health and comfort of urban dwellers.

The current study investigates whether and in which extent thermally uncomfortable urban environments influence the livability of neighbourhoods in the Mediterranean.

So far, the majority of urban design and planning solutions focus on social, practical, regulatory or aesthetic issues often overlooking climatic considerations and consequently human comfort. This may result to well functioning and often even beautiful spaces but the thermal properties of materials commonly used to pave open spaces lead to great heat stress. This research project explores the microclimatic, thermal comfort and livability conditions of a particularly hot neighborhood in Athens, Greece and analyses the impact of urban warming to the use of outdoor spaces.

The thesis is divided to three major parts. The first part attempts to assess the current livability level of the selected neighborhood. The assessment is performed through questionnaires distributed to residents leaving in social housing blocks in the selected neighborhood.

The second part attempts to outline the existing thermal profile of the neighborhood through infield measurements and simulations by utilizing the Envi-met program.

In the third and last part of this research passive cooling measures to counteract urban warming and improve pedestrian comfort are proposed. The adequacy and efficiency of the proposals was tested through simulation and by utilizing the Envi-met program. The simulations reveal the benefits of implementing passive cooling measures to microclimate and thermal comfort.

Finally this thesis stresses the significance of the synergy between environmental, societal, cultural, functional and spatial parameters.

Keywords ll Urban microclimate, thermal comfort, livability, use of outdoor spaces, sustainable design, passive cooling measures