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Al hilal Engineering Consultant - Quality built environments with timeless character.

AL HILAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

 

Sustainable Urban Design and Climate

In AL HILAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANT

CLIMATE AND URBAN DESIGN - THE REWARDS!

When climate expertise is part of the urban design team's skills: -

  • the full potential for using solar energy is realized;

  • air drainage patterns carry pollutants away from residential areas;

  • city-dwellers enjoy improved levels of climatic comfort; and

  • the site of a new town is chosen to lessen danger from natural hazards.

In the climatically optimum city, the thermal comfort and even the health of some city-dwellers improves. Less energy is needed for indoor temperature control. Peak power demand and peak storm water run-off are reduced, saving on the cost of city infrastructure.

DESIGNING WITH CLIMATE

Some of the things which can be done: -

  • In a hot dry climate, sun protection is essential (we need shade, and pale surfaces to reflect the sun's radiation). Glare and reflected heat from these pale surfaces can be reduced by shading from eaves, verandahs and from vegetation. Trees are Nature's own evaporative coolers - perfect for the dry climate, if water supply permits. Trees will also filter blowing dust from the air.

  • In a warm humid climate, we need air movement to keep us comfortable. Streets and buildings are oriented to catch the breezes. A mix of building heights promotes ventilation. Vegetation must not impede air movement: trees with branches far from the ground, such as palms, would be ideal. Rainfall may be heavy, so permeable surfaces are needed, to reduce urban storm water runoff.

  • What to do when summer is too hot and winter is too cold? In a temperate climate, the wind direction usually changes with the season. It may be possible to choose a street layout which will block the winter wind, yet allow cooling summer breezes through the city. As an example, have a look at a suggested street layout modeled on Coolangatta.

  • In cooler parts of the temperate zone, or on exposed sites, we need maximum wind protection (tree shelter belts, closely spaced buildings of constant height, main streets perpendicular to the prevailing wind).

 

CONTACT DETAILS

Address: Suite 715, Level 7, Alkhaleej center, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Telephone: (9714) 3553777
Fax: (9714) 3553737.
: [email protected]

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Copyright ¿ 2000 NOOR SULIMAN [email protected]
Last modified: sep 23, 2000

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