ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 220
Outdoor Thermal Comfort (OTC) Study on a district
level as part of the Housing Programs in United Arab
Emirates
Lindita Bande1*, Kim Young1, Rahma Adan1, Amna A. R. A. Aldarmaki 1, Atmah S. S. Aldhaheri 1,
Asma S. A. Alneyadi 1, Sharina R.O.A Aldhaheri1, Mira Khalifa1,
United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE: [email protected]; [email protected]; r‐
1
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected];
*Correspondence : [email protected]; 00971547792797
Abstract: United Arab Emirates (composed by seven Emirates) is a country with a rapid urban
planning development. The aim of the authorities is to build 7270 houses by 2021 (referring to the
public announcements). Local sustainable standards are applied in each Emirate, such as Abu Dhabi
Public realm Manual. The standards consider the regional climate (hot arid), the use of materials, the
application of the green areas etc. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, AL Ain are adapting to such standards
and are building housing programs according to the governmental plan.
However, further studies are required in each city where this programs are applied in order to
understand the impact of such design into the OTC. The villa units are detached from each other and
they create waste areas that are not treated with greenery or shading. Based on the history of old
Arabic neighbourhoods, the houses were design close to each other in order to have maximum shade
and improve the walkability.
The aim of this study is to analyse this districts and understand which strategy would work best in
order to reduce the outdoor air temperatures and improve the walkability. The methodology follows
the below order: district analyses of the buildings and the applied materials in the external space, site
measurements of the city microclimate, ENVI‐met models of the current and future scenarios, results
and recommendations.
Keywords: Outdoor Thermal Comfort, Hot Arid Climate, ENVI‐met, Site Measurements, Housing
Program
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ZEMCH 2019 International Conference l Seoul, Korea