Simulation of Urban-Scale Thermal Environment for Inhabitants (SUSTEIN)

Dr Huang, Jianxiang   (Principal Investigator (PI))

24

2015-03-01

2017-02-28

92125

Simulation of Urban-Scale Thermal Environment for Inhabitants (SUSTEIN)

Outdoor Thermal Comfort, Simulation, Urban Design, Urban Microclimate, Urban Planning

Urban Development,Environmental

201411159071

Seed Fund for PI Research – Basic Research

2014

Completed

Key issues to be addressed •There are no reliable methods to assess thermal comfort in an actual built environment. Existing tools cannot reliably model urban microclimate and stress exposures at street levels. •There are no agreed methods to predict outdoor thermal comfort for a local population. Existing methods are developed mostly in Europe and North America, and it is questionable whether they apply to regions where climate, ethnicities, and behaviors differ. •Thermal comfort is an underused factor in urban planning and design. Existing policies lack quantifiable criteria on comfort. Objectives •Quantify the association between characteristics of the built environment and thermal stress at street levels. •Develop and calibrate an indigenous thermal comfort models that can be applied to Hong Kong’s climatic, cultural and ethnic context. •Provide a virtual environment to test impact of a proposed urban development and create opportunities for preventative measures to be taken at early phases. •Inform planning policies and suggest quantitative criteria on thermal comfort in support to the development of livable neighborhoods. •Inform evidence-based design solutions to mitigate extremes of thermal stress and extend comfortable seasons in urban spaces.