IMPACT OF CANYON GEOMETRY UPON URBAN MICROCLIMATE: A CASE-STUDY OF HIGH-DENSITY, WARM-HUMID CLIMATE

Abstract

Recent findings have demonstrated that microclimate inside urban canyons is largely controlled by its geometry. This study, intends to examine the impact of canyon geometry upon air and radiant temperature in a high density warm humid context. For this study, two urban canyons in Dhaka city have been chosen with different street orientations. The microclimatic characteristic was observed through a high resolution CFD microclimatic model: ENVI-met Version 4. Important findings include reduced air temperature but increased Tmrt in deeper canyons while presenting apparently conflicting design options to achieve comfortable urban-microclimate. However, there are potentials to find a variety of canyon geometries that are harmonious with the apparently conflicting design objectives in a tropical city context.