A comprehensive morphological classification scheme for local ventilation performance zones in spatially heterogeneous urban areas

Abstract

Modifying urban-built structures is a promising strategy for ventilation enhancement when designing sustainable communities. However, incorporating ventilation considerations into planning processes can be challenging because of tradeoffs and synergy among effects of various urban forms on local ventilation efficiency. This study aims to comprehensively integrate morphological parameters from aerodynamic perspective to distinguish local ventilation efficiency within heterogeneous urban areas. By synthesizing influences of spatial factors on airflow, “wind permeability, wind reinforcing, and wind accessibility” were resolved to form the local ventilation performance zone (LVPZ) characterization framework and its parameterization system. Accordingly, a spatial division standard and typical types of LVPZ classification scheme were developed. With an LVPZ-map generated in Wuhan, stable wind speed sequences were observed and their ventilation performance differences were interpreted among LVPZs using wind monitoring and CFD simulation. This scheme helps planners to evaluate local ventilation performance and provide a decision support tool for wind-sensitive urban development.

Keywords

• Urban ventilation
• Wind environment assessment
• Local ventilation performance zone
• Urban morphology
• Urban design
• Urban canopy layer