User requirements and case studies to evaluate the practicability and usability of the urban climate model PALM‑4U

Abstract

As cities are sensitive to climate change, they must be prepared for its consequences. While high-performance urban climate models are the basis for prospective planning decisions, as of today, practice-oriented models are rare. Within the framework of the Urban Climate Under ChangeUC2 research programme, the new urban climate model PALM‑4U will be developed to simulate climate and air-pollution problems in urban areas. The joint projects KliMoPrax and UseUClim deal with both the model's practicability and usability, and, therefore, are to be conducted together with partners from German municipalities and industry, with user requirements identified and summarised for implementation into the new model. Furthermore, case studies on current and future municipal issues will be performed using the PALM‑4U model. At the conclusion of the project, the new model's practicability and usability are evaluated, with the results to be summarised in an evaluation report including recommendations on further model development for both current and future everyday municipal planning.

Keywords

• urban climate
• urban planning
• user requirements
• science-practice interface
• urban climate model