Conference title

Modification of Microclimatic Conditions and Bringing Outdoor

Thermal Comfort in Urban Residential Clusters
Mr.S.Ebin Horrison , Mrs. S. Henya Stephi *
S.Ebin Horrison,plot no11vishal nagar ext,Chennai,600117,India
S.Henya Stephi,door no 29 thangam nagar ext, 620009,India

Abstract

‘Urban Open Space’ is an integral part of urban landscape. Urban open spaces connects built structures to the surroundings by
“green spaces” Microclimates in outdoor urban spaces may be modified by controlling the wind and radiant environments in
these spaces. This paper attempts to point out the importance of plants for environmentally responsive designs through discussing
the concepts of microclimate and their effect on outdoor spaces. Study on Modification of microclimate stated the approaches for
the development of landscape in changing climatic circumstances and further, it suggest methods for using the information as you
design landscapes to maximize human thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The residential build cluster in Chennai
(medavakkam) is taken and analyzed, design guidelines were developed to specify how radiant environments may be modified
and analysis over the behavior of geometry and orientation aspects in passive cooling of outdoor spaces with trees are
emphasized. The results established shows the thermal readings using HOBO data loggers - Solar Radiation Shield - RS1 and
analyzed with RayMan and Ecotect.

Keywords: Microclimate; Thermal comfort; Passive cooling; Urban open spaces

1. Introduction

It has been recognized that cities are the areas of greatest environmental transformation, where virtually all
the effects of ecological modification derived from development of Outdoor and indoor comfort zones which are
differing from each other. A larger influences of psychological aspects are involved when we stay in outdoor than in
indoor environments. For example, in street canyons, public places, and open spaces, the local microclimate depends
directly on the physical properties of the surrounding surfaces and objects. All these phenomena can greatly
influence the comfort of pedestrians. Microclimates in outdoor urban spaces may be modified by controlling the
wind and radiant environments in these spaces. This paper attempts to point out the importance of plants for
environmentally responsive designs through discussing the concepts of and microclimate and their effect on outdoor
spaces.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: 09444057924; E-mail address: [email protected].

1.1. Study and Analysis

An analysis of the climate of a particular region can help in assessing the seasons or periods during which a
person may experience comfortable or uncomfortable conditions. It further helps in identifying the climatic
elements, as well as their severity, that cause discomfort. The information helps the designer to design adverse
climatic effects, while simultaneously allowing those that are beneficial. Climate thus plays a vital role in designing
spaces
The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain and altitude, as well as nearby vegetation, water bodies
and their currents. Climate affects the indoor climate and human thermal comfort. While climate is the term for the
average atmospheric conditions over longer periods of time, weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature
and precipitation activity. The most important elements of climate and weather parameters that affect human
comfort and are relevant to building design are:

• Solar Radiation
• Long wave Radiation
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Wind
• Precipitation

1.2. Climatic impact of plants around buildings:

Green areas around buildings are effective in modifying the thermal environment to which the buildings are
exposed, and hence on the thermal performance of the buildings. Plants have a strong effect on microclimate. Trees
and green spaces can help to cool our cities and save energy. Trees can provide solar protection to individual houses
during summer and evapotranspiration from trees can reduce urban temperatures. Shading from trees is an effective
way to significantly reduce energy for cooling purposes. Landscaping is very important for good thermal comfort
within the house, especially in hot climates. Planting reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the ground and
creates a microclimate around the building.

• Width of the planted area around the building;

• Type of plants: trees, shrubs, lawn, vines climbing on the walls, pergolas and so forth;
• Size and shape of the trees and shrubs;
• Location of plants of different types with respect to the building
In humid regions the specific evaporation is low but vegetation is plentiful and water availability almost
unlimited. In such regions the elevated humidity and especially the reduction of wind speed near the ground are
undesirable from the comfort viewpoint. This should be taken into account in the details of the plantings in parks
and gardens in hot-humid regions.

1.3. Area of study

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu a southern state of India. This metropolitan city is geographically located at
12°50'0" - 13°15'0" N latitude and 80°0'0"- 80°20'0" E longitude (Fig 3.1). The topography is relatively flat and
climate experienced is hot humid climate. The maximum air temperature varies between 41°C in the month of May
and 20°C in the month of December. Relative humidity reaches 80% in the month of November. The average
precipitation is 1200mm and it enjoys predominant wind from south of southeast direction at an average speed of 2
km/hr.
 An township with multiple varieties, which gives an opportunities to analysis and design the environment with
scope and special interest towards thermal comfort (Independent Villas, Twin Villas, Duplex Houses and Budget
Apartments) Open space in this environments, can contributes to a sense of community and can encourage
pedestrian activity.

Figure 1.1 Location map

1.4. Site context

Palm Residential realty comprising of combination of Independent Villas, Twin Villas, Duplex Houses and
Budget Apartments with all modern amenities by RWD at Medavakkam in Chennai

Figure 1.2 Existing site map Figure 1.3 Land use pattern Figure 1.4 Reading on open space
usage pattern

1.5. Shading analysis:

In high-density cities, where most of the land is covered by buildings and roads, and where very limited area is
available for plants, the effect of plants on the air temperature may be rather small.

Narrow streets provide better shading by building for pedestrians on sidewalks than wide streets. However, shade
for sidewalks can be provided even in wide streets by special details of the buildings or by trees. Their main
contribution to the urban climate may be in providing shade for pedestrians.
 Figure 1.5 Sun path (on site)
The image illustrate shading and thermal analysis over certain periods

Figure 1.6 Street section near play area (without landscape design)
The image illustrate shading on Narrow Street over summer sun
1.6. Thermal comfort analysis:

The design of outdoor spaces is very important for the urban environment and an understanding of the effects
influencing thermal comfort in these spaces will assist in designing spaces that encourage public use all times of the
year.

Figure 1.7 (a) Mean radiant temperature (b) Predicted mean vote

(MRT is a concept arising from the fact that the net exchange of radiant energy between two objects

PMV represents the 'predicted mean vote' (on the thermal sensation scale) of a large population of people
exposed to a certain environment. Calculation of PMV based on Equivalent Temperature)

Spatial comfort analysis, calculates the distribution of comfort parameters over the analysis grid with respect to
date and time.
Temperatures are actually environment temperatures, formed from a component of mean radiant temperature
(basically area weighted surface temperatures) and air temperature. This makes them a better indicator of comfort
than a simple air temperatures. A mathematical model of the relationship between all the environmental and
physiological factors considered was then derived from the data. The fundamentals of the equation are actually
based on a physical analysis of the thermal exchanges and then modified slightly to fit the data. Thermal comfort
shows either times outside comfort or radiant temperature effects

1.7. Daylight analysis:

The analysis of daylight has focused on the adequacy of illumination under static, overcast (diffuse) sky
conditions; the most commonly used metric being the daylight factor (DF%) Lighting Analysts have been
pioneering the use of dynamic simulation methods, enabling a better understanding of the annual daylight
illuminance profile within and around buildings, ensuring optimal design of the building is achieved.
 Figure 1.8 (a) Daylight factor (b) Externally reflected daylight factor

Natural light levels are not date or time dependent - they represent worst-case design conditions based on an
'average' cloudy or uniform sky distribution. Calculations are based daylight factors and the design sky illuminance
value to determine likely natural light levels in the model.

Values can be calculated over the analysis grid, if it is currently displayed, or for each point object in the model.
The analysis grid provides more flexible display options such as contouring and iso-surfaced but is limited in its size
and aspect. All grid nodes and point objects are assumed to be on a horizontal surface with a vector pointing directly
upwards.

1.8. Design strategies

Figure 1.9 (a) Site location (b) Sun path

Vegetation can be used to redirect the flow of air and channel it of a

specific area or location on the site. The "Venturi effect" can also be
created to increase the velocity of air movement in the area of the
structure. Shading is one of the most important advantages of
landscaping. For shading on the south side, the tree placement would
have to be too close to the building because the sun is high in the sky.
Vegetation functions best when used on the east, northeast, west and
northwest sides of the building.

Figure 1.10 Tree forms

1.9. Redesigning open spaces: Design strategies

Figure 1.11 park and play space

1.10. Reorganization of vegetation on streets and pathways: Design strategies

Figure 1.12 Street sections and views

1.11. Shading outputs: Design strategies

Figure 1.13 Shading design on street (shows increased shadow pattern after landscape layout)

Figure 1.14 Shading design on layout and open space

1.12. Onsite reading : Design Analysis

Figure 1.15 On site reading taken through hobo data logger and Rayman analysis on proposed
design (an comparative analysis of both showed positive variation in proposed design)
1.13. Design summary

The lack of appropriate landscape treatment in the cities causes the air temperature increase and change the
thermal comfort in built environment. The trees plantings is an important strategy of the climate changes control in
tropical cities due to shade and thermoregulation work Different tree species behave in different ways in urban
microclimate and this features can be effectively used to improve the thermal comfort indoor and outdoor spaces

“LANDSCAPE SHAPES CLIMATE”

Landscaping is not just to beautify the environment around but it also performs function of modifying the
microclimate of man's habitat and the area surrounding
• Presents the basic principles of microclimatology and explains how objects in the landscape affect climate to
create microclimates
• Describes methods for modifying the key variables in a microclimate, including radiation, wind, temperature,
humidity, and precipitation
• Shows how to create successful, comfortable spaces under a wide variety of climatic conditions.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all those who provided me the possibility to complete this
report. A special gratitude to Dr.Ranee Maria Leonie Vedaumuthu, Dean (SAP) & Head of Department,and Ar.
R.H. Rukkumany M.Arch (Landscape), for her stimulating support. I also record my heartfelt thanks to my other
Faculty members, Family members and friends who gave the moral support during the entire session.

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