Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah
Thermal comfort in cities is an influential factor for citizens’ wellbeing and life quality. Urban microclimate studies have gained popularity following increasing urbanization trends and global climate change in recent years. Urban fabric and morphology in traditional cities represent a unique patt...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/4/575 |
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| author | Fawzi Hicham Arrar Dalel Kaoula Mohamed Elhadi Matallah Amina Abdessemed-Foufa Mohammad Taleghani Shady Attia |
| author_facet | Fawzi Hicham Arrar Dalel Kaoula Mohamed Elhadi Matallah Amina Abdessemed-Foufa Mohammad Taleghani Shady Attia |
| author_sort | Fawzi Hicham Arrar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Thermal comfort in cities is an influential factor for citizens’ wellbeing and life quality. Urban microclimate studies have gained popularity following increasing urbanization trends and global climate change in recent years. Urban fabric and morphology in traditional cities represent a unique pattern both spatially and climatically. However, few studies have investigated traditional cities’ urban thermal comfort conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermal comfort in different subspaces of Algiers Casbah’s historic urban fabric, which falls in the hot Mediterranean climate (Csa). This research evaluated the human thermal sensation by applying the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index. The methodology used was a mixed approach, including field measurements, calculations, and a survey questionnaire. The results indicate the presence of a high-stress level during the measurement periods, and notable differences between the subspaces in January (ΔPET<sub>Max.Jan</sub> = 3.7 °C) and August (ΔPET<sub>Max.Aug</sub> = 2.2 °C). The highest discomfort was recorded in spaces with collapsed buildings, especially during the hot hours of the day. The findings also highlight a strong impact of the sky view factor on the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and the physiological equivalent temperature (PET). The study discusses recommendations and ways to improve the design of outdoor spaces and relieve heat stress in the streets of traditional cities. Finally, this work helps urban managers and heritage conservators in urban rehabilitation policies concerning outdoor microclimate improvement. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:10:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bd2ed52887594f36be4eb48c799ca022 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:10:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd2ed52887594f36be4eb48c799ca0222023-12-01T00:46:52ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332022-04-0113457510.3390/atmos13040575Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers CasbahFawzi Hicham Arrar0Dalel Kaoula1Mohamed Elhadi Matallah2Amina Abdessemed-Foufa3Mohammad Taleghani4Shady Attia5Environnement et Technologie pour l’Architecture et le Patrimoine (ETAP), Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Blida1, Blida 0900, AlgeriaEnvironnement et Technologie pour l’Architecture et le Patrimoine (ETAP), Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Blida1, Blida 0900, AlgeriaLaboratory of Design and Modelling of Architectural and Urban Forms and Ambiances (LACOMOFA), University of Biskra, Biskra 7020, AlgeriaEnvironnement et Technologie pour l’Architecture et le Patrimoine (ETAP), Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, University of Blida1, Blida 0900, AlgeriaLeeds School of Architecture, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UKSustainable Building Design (SBD) Lab, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Liege, 4000 Liege, BelgiumThermal comfort in cities is an influential factor for citizens’ wellbeing and life quality. Urban microclimate studies have gained popularity following increasing urbanization trends and global climate change in recent years. Urban fabric and morphology in traditional cities represent a unique pattern both spatially and climatically. However, few studies have investigated traditional cities’ urban thermal comfort conditions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the thermal comfort in different subspaces of Algiers Casbah’s historic urban fabric, which falls in the hot Mediterranean climate (Csa). This research evaluated the human thermal sensation by applying the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index. The methodology used was a mixed approach, including field measurements, calculations, and a survey questionnaire. The results indicate the presence of a high-stress level during the measurement periods, and notable differences between the subspaces in January (ΔPET<sub>Max.Jan</sub> = 3.7 °C) and August (ΔPET<sub>Max.Aug</sub> = 2.2 °C). The highest discomfort was recorded in spaces with collapsed buildings, especially during the hot hours of the day. The findings also highlight a strong impact of the sky view factor on the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and the physiological equivalent temperature (PET). The study discusses recommendations and ways to improve the design of outdoor spaces and relieve heat stress in the streets of traditional cities. Finally, this work helps urban managers and heritage conservators in urban rehabilitation policies concerning outdoor microclimate improvement.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/4/575urbanheritagemorphologyPETmean radiant temperatureRayman model |
| spellingShingle | Fawzi Hicham Arrar Dalel Kaoula Mohamed Elhadi Matallah Amina Abdessemed-Foufa Mohammad Taleghani Shady Attia Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah Atmosphere urban heritage morphology PET mean radiant temperature Rayman model |
| title | Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah |
| title_full | Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah |
| title_fullStr | Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah |
| title_short | Quantification of Outdoor Thermal Comfort Levels under Sea Breeze in the Historical City Fabric: The Case of Algiers Casbah |
| title_sort | quantification of outdoor thermal comfort levels under sea breeze in the historical city fabric the case of algiers casbah |
| topic | urban heritage morphology PET mean radiant temperature Rayman model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/13/4/575 |
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