ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 57
The effect of diversity in building heights for creating comfortable outdoor environments was
proven by Edward (2010). The researcher explored the benefits of the diversity, dense, and compact
form on the outdoor environment, presenting the “Environmental Diversity Map” to show the effect of
diversity on the three microclimate parameters; temperature, shading and wind on outdoor
environment [23].
4.4.2. Planting Along the Boundary Wall (Scenario Three)
This was simulated in a model using IES‐VE SunCast analysis to study the effect of planting height,
dense trees along the boundary wall as shown in Figure 14b. It is clear that the boundary units adjacent
to the boundary wall are varied in solar gains, and the exposure percentage between 50‐70% depending
on the height and the dense of the trees with 100% of solar gains for the other units.
(a)
(b)
Figure 14. (a) Solar gains and the effect of diversity in building heights on shading parameters; (b)
Solar gains and the effect of planting the boundary wall [10].
4.4.3. Building Height Diversity Effect on Solar Attitude of the Adjacent Units (Scenario One)
The effect of the first scenario and the modification in building height diversity analyzed and
explored using one of the community units, Unit No. 91. The Unit 91 was selected for this analysis due
to being oriented toward west direction and has maximum solar gains with 100% in the existing case,
and is close to the chosen building, to be converted to serve for the missing services, which is modified
and increased in height by adding two more stories (to the Unit No. 90), and the adjacent Unit 91 could
be therefore less in solar exposure by 20% as it has only 80 hours of exposure to the sun (Figure 15).
(a) SunCast solar shading analysis in percentage
(b) SunCast solar shading analysis in hours
Figure 15. Building height diversity and shaded roofs adjacent to the modified building, Unit 91. Less
in solar exposure by 20% and 80 hours during the month of June [9].
Moreover, using ApacheSim application within the IES‐VE software [10] showed that there is a
reduction in solar gains by 20% for the modified case compared to the existing case (Unit 91), and the
Investigating Optimization of Sustainability at an Urban Level: A Case Study of Dubai Neighborhoods
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