Retrofitting public spaces for thermal comfort and sustainability

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016-07-14

Authors

J. Cortesao (Author) FEUP; F. Brandão Alves (Author) FEUP; H. Corvacho (Author) FEUP; C. Rocha (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Indoor and Built Environment

Vol. 25

Pages: 1085-1095

ISSN: 1420-326X

Publisher: SAGE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 12 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Thermal engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Civil engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-7PZ

DOI: 10.1177/1420326x16659326

Abstract (EN): This article discusses the retrofitting of public spaces in compact urban areas bearing in mind the need for outdoor thermal comfort. The role of paving materials and vegetation was focused on a field survey undertaken at a square in Porto, Portugal. The potential for microclimatic improvement of different combinations of paving materials and vegetation was explored through simulations with ENVI-met. The options, objectives and results of the simulations and an evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment related factors were addressed and discussed. The best improvement scenario was defined stressing the relevance of cool' paving materials and vegetation and the need for a sustainability analysis throughout the design practice.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11