Quantification of the Outdoor Thermal Comfort within Different Oases Urban Fabrics

Abstract

Oases settlements are common entities of human agglomerations throughout desert regions. Oases settlements face several environmental challenges such as climate change, which can render them insufferably hot and unlivable within decades. Therefore, this study aims to assess the outdoor thermal comfort variation within three different oases urban fabrics of Tolga Oases Complex in Algeria. The overarching aim is to quantify thermal comfort and guide landscape, and urban designers improve outdoor thermal comfort. The methodology relies on microclimatic measurements and weather datasets (TMY2, TMY3, TMYx), combining observations and numerical simulations. A total of 648 Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) values were calculated in three different urban fabrics in Tolga Oases Complex, Algeria. Between 2003 and 2017, a remarkable microclimatic change was found, causing a high and accelerated heat stress level of 76%. The study results inform architects, urban planners and climatologists about climate change effects and urban sprawl impact on the oases lands. Moreover, urban strategies should seek mitigation and adaptation benefiting from the existing green infrastructure of palm groves.

A methodological approach to evaluate the passive cooling effect of Oasis palm groves

“…The study is conducted in Tolga Oasis Territory, in Biskra Province, in the southern part of Algeria's most populated area, at the foot of the Saharan Atlas Mountains (Matallah et al, 2021;Matallah et al, 2022). The territory is located on the northern Saharan plains in North Africa and is characterized by a strong coexistence between the built environments and the palm groves (Fig.…”

Assessment of Human Outdoor Thermal Comfort in a Palm Grove during the Date Palm Phenological Cycle

“…Furthermore, during the last 30 years the yearly average of heating degree-days (HDD) was estimated to be about 218, and the average of cooling degree-days (CDD) was 1780. On the other hand, Tolga oasis territory is characterized by deficient rainfall, with an average annual accumulation below 126 mm from 1995 to 2017 [22]. The rainfall is irregular and can be torrential.…”

Prediction of Climate Change Effect on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Region

“…The neighborhood is located in the centre of Tolga city. It has a unified geometry design with fragmented blocks, built with identical height (H = 12.50 m), moderate urban compactness and a very low built occupancy: 18% [61]. It is essential to indicate that the site is missing urban vegetation arrangements, where only very limited green areas, "grass", and few trees, Ficus rubiginosa, are spontaneously planted.…”