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To study the leaf area index, LAI, based thermal performance in distinguishing trees for Cairo's urban developments, ENVI-met plants data base was used as platform for a foliage modeling parameter, the leaf area density, LAD . Two Egyptian trees; Ficus Elastica, and Peltophorum Pterocarpum were simulated in 2 urban sites with one having no trees, whilst the second is having Ficus Nitida trees. Trees LAD values were calculated using flat leaves' trees LAI definition to produce maximum ground solid shadow at peak time. An empirical value of 1for LAI is applied to numerically introduce LAD values for ENVI-met.Basically, different meteorological records showed improvements for pedestrian comfort and ambient microclimate of the building using Ficus Elastica . About 40-50% interception of direct radiation, reductions in surfaces' fluxes around trees and in radiant temperature Tmrt in comparison to base cases gave preferability to Ficus Elastica. The lack of soil water prevented evapotranspiration to take place effectively and the reduced wind speeds concluded negligible air temperature differences from both base cases except slightly appeared with the Ficus Elastica. Results show that a flat leaves tree if doesn't validate LAI of 1, the ground shading won't fulfill about 50% direct radiation interception and this value can be used as a reference for urban trees selection.PDF created with pdfFactory Pro trial version www.pdffactory.com 2 Further simulations were held to investigate LAI value of maximum direct radiation interception.Performing additional simulations, Ficus Elastica of LAI of 3 intercepted almost 84% of direct radiation and revealed implications about urban trees in practice and its actual LAI.

This paper introduces regulatory components influencing city soundscapes in Europe and the UK, illustrating the abatement approach taken within noise policy, demonstrating the importance of individual experience in assessing the soundscapes of urban environments and identifying a terminology to facilitate an introduction of soundscapes into the planning process. Drawing on work from soundscape ecology, a way is demonstrated to coalesce these divergent positions. Reviewing interviews undertaken in Clerkenwell, the paper demonstrates that it is not simply noise levels that are important to people in an urban area. Context, source, distance, temporariness and control over noise, are all relevant to whether people would want to see a particular sound eliminated from their soundscape. Using Schafer's terminology 'keynote sounds', 'soundmarks' and 'sound signals', a rationale is proposed through which experienced soundscapes may be articulated, challenging the strategy of noise abatement which could produce a conformity of soundscape that homogenises place and dissolves local uniqueness.

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