The work reported here is a contribution by the authors to the search for reliable metric method for spatial evaluation, related to human perception of ‘openness’ and to the development of evaluation tools for urban planning and design. A recent innovation, the ‘spatial openness index’ (SOI), a quantitative index, based on a three-dimensional visual analysis of space is applied here. This approach reflects the hierarchical order found in the urban environment: dwelling unit, building, neighbourhood, etc. This index expresses oppenness to natural light, air, and near and distant views, for each level in the hierarchical order. At the basis of this work is the assumption that the SOI is correlated with the ‘perceived density’, evaluated by people responding to alternative spatial configurations. A preliminary indication test was carried out in order to justify this assumption. In this test, groups of spatial configurations with equal built masses were ranked both by their calculated SOI and by statistical analysis of perceived density evaluated by participating individuals. Good agreement was found between pairs of results obtained for most of the spatial configurations.

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A quantitative analysis is presented for evaluating the diurnal thermal impact of proposed building arrangements on the urban canopy layer (UCL) air temperature, in summer in a hot-humid region. Building configuration along an urban street is quantitatively specified in this study by the building dimensions, by the spacing of the units and by the width of the street. The generic model described here is representative of the actual form of residential buildings found mostly along urban streets in Israel's cities. Sixty different building configurations were studied. The diurnal air temperature pattern in summer was calculated for each configuration using the analytical Green CTTC model, and compared with that of a nearby representative meteorological station at an open site. The results indicate significant thermal effects in the UCL due to the building form. The extent of the maximum impact is about 6.8 K at 1500h, namely ranging from 4.7 K above the value measured at the reference meteorological station (for shallow open spaces with wide spacing), to 2.1 K below this (for deep open spaces with narrow spacing). The statistical analysis of the results indicates the feasibility of assessing the expected maximum thermal effect of building designs of the generic form studied here, through a general linear relationship. This, thereby, provides a useful tool in judging the expected climatic impact of a proposed building design.

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A computer model for allocating activities in regional space in order to achieve multiple objectives is proposed. The application of the model is illustrated.

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