Wind Conditions at Pedestrian Level in Different Types of Residential Urban Development for a High Degree of Land Use Efficiency

Abstract

This paper addresses wind conditions in urban building development at the pedestrian level. The article aimed to identify aerodynamic phenomena around three types of multi-family housing developments with different forms and the same urban parameters of building development density (high density was taken into account). The aim of the research was mainly to achieve qualitative results that would lead to understanding fundamental processes and phenomena. Wind tunnel experimental studies were conducted on physical models at a scale of 1: 400 using visualization and erosion methods. These experiments yielded data regarding the arrangement of airflow directions and changes in airflow velocity, expressed as the amplification coefficient (α), the occurrence of which was caused by the presence of buildings. An analysis was conducted concerning wind conditions that constitute pedestrian comfort and influence the possibility for ventilation of spaces between buildings for the three selected models. The research results were compared, and an attempt was made to assess the most beneficial and the least favorable building development types in this respect.

Morphology of Building Development as an Element of Urban Ventialtion System

“…However, this parameter is not sufficient to describe the compactness feature. The extent to which urban interiors, i.e., streets, squares, or courtyards inside the quarters, are built up continuously, i.e., the extent of their enclosure and openness to the wind flow (e.g., through gates, gaps between buildings) is crucial as well [2,3,9]. The closure or openness of urban interiors to air can also be regulated by the building development height, namely by equating or differentiating it [3].…”