An assessment of the universal thermal climate index of urban outdoor spaces- a case study of Central Business District (CBD), Ahmedabad
Jahnvi Mehta1*, Rajan Rawal2, Yash Shukla2
1: CEPT University, Ahmedabad, India;
2: Center for Advance Research in Building Science and Energy, CRDF, Ahmedabad, India
DOI: 10.62744/CATE.45273.1162-380-388
Email: jahnvi.pbe21147@cept.ac.in
Abstract:
This study is conducted to assess the transition in outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) due to the synergistic effects of high-density high-rise development in urban regions and increasing global temperature. The shifting climate of urban spaces impacts Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC), thus human behaviour and accessibility to outdoor spaces. Central Business District (CBD), located in the centre of a growing metro city, Ahmedabad, in a hot and dry climate, is the case study site. The on-site measurement and simulation method has been adopted to analyze the microclimate condition for current and future development scenarios of 2050 with increased Floor area ratio (FAR) and tree cover. To understand and quantify the heat stress on the human body produced by the surrounding meteorological circumstances, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) has been used. The on-site collected data and simulation results provide a basis for studying the physiological and physical attributes related to OTC. The results suggest a significant impact of the sky view factor and the role of mean radiant temperature on OTC in all development scenarios. The shading due to the increased height of building stock imparts a favourable impact on thermal stress in outdoor urban areas.
Keywords: Outdoor Thermal comfort, Universal Thermal Climate Index, Urban Heat Island, Microclimate,ENVI-met