Detection of ventilation corridors using a spatio-temporal approach aided by remote sensing data

Abstract

The aim of this study is to detect ventilation corridors in three epochs (1992, 2002 and 2011) by mapping rough urban areas. The roughness parameters calculations are based on a 3D building database obtained from satellite imagery (SPOT) for thee epochs and are conducted accordingly to morphometric methods. Several ventilation paths are clearly recognisable for all three decades and based on the proximity analysis and roughness parameters (by calculating roughness length (z0) and zero-plane displacement height (zd)), we established their extent and analysed the structural and developmental changes. We conducted that changes occurred more rapidly in the second period – almost 90% of the study area was gradually built up, what obstructs the air flow. In addition, winds are blocked in the western part of the city – where the best wind conditions occur. The results urge to re-evaluate the current shape of ventilation corridors and suggest some new areas that should be included in the air ventilation system to improve citizens’ comfort and urban climate.

Keywords

• 3D building database
• frontal area index
• urban climate
• ventilation corridors
• roughness parameters