Green elements in street canyons for thermal comfort

2013, tutors: Wiebke Klemm, Sanda Lenzholzer, student: Irina Hotkevica

Street canyon geometry has important effects in urban climate. Formation of urban heat within street canyons due to solar radiation gains, and limited wind access is one of them. Streets layouts are usually predetermined and hardly to change, nevertheless it is possible to find solutions within the existing layouts. Canyons aspect ratios and orientation towards the sun create diurnal patterns of solar exposure/ shade areas pointing out the overheated zones on the street. By combining the diurnal patterns with traditional street green elements it is possible to modify streets solar gains, reducing urban heat and providing comfortable thermal environments. Please find the MSc thesis here.