Urban Design with the Wind: Pedestrian-Level Wind Field in the Street Canyons Downstream of Parallel High-Rise Buildings

Abstract

We are investigating how to use urban design approaches to conduct the layout and basic design of newly-built high-rise buildings to reduce wind obstruction and create effective urban ventilation. Few studies have addressed this issue. This study analyzes the effects of high-rise building on pedestrian-level wind in downstream street canyons based on wind tunnel test results, and examines the suitability of an urban design specification. The height (H) of high-rise buildings and the airflow passage width (S) between adjacent high-rise buildings are key control factors for this issue; H/D = 3 and S/D = 1.125 are critical parameters and recommended values (D is the height of the downstream street blocks).

Keywords

• urban design
• high-rise building
• street canyon
• pedestrian-level wind
• wind tunnel