ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 221
1. Introduction
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed significant economic and urbanization growth in the
last four decades which made UAE has one of the largest carbon footprints in the world. Buildings
consume 70% of energy consumption, mainly used in cooling, compared to the global average of 40%
[1]. The residential building sector forms the dominant part of the construction industry and accounts
for the largest energy usage in UAE [2]. The residential sector developed mainly in the form of
extensive housing programs provided by the government to its citizens and rental housing projects.
The high revenues generated enabled the government to act as the main housing provider for its
citizens at both federal and local levels. The majority of these housing programs are in the form of
detached houses, the most demanding type of houses in terms of cooling, especially under the local
extreme hot climate [3]. The residential sector in hot climate especially in gulf countries has a
significant energy consumption and share of carbon emissions [4]. Based on a previous study which
was done in Al Ain city, almost 37% of the total annual electrical energy in residential buildings is
consumed for cooling. Recent published research work showed that energy consumed for cooling in a
two story residential building in Al Ain city, UAE, is estimated as 186 kWh/m2 [5].
The climate in Al Ain is characterized with hot temperatures and abundant sunshine throughout
the year. Air temperature exceeds the comfort zone for most of the year, where the National Bureau of
Statistics recorded the maximum annual temperature average as being 45 °C in August with a
minimum of just 13 °C in January [6]. The thermal environment outdoors affects human comfort and
health and affects greatly usage of outdoor spaces. Mental and physical performance is reduced at high
levels of air temperature being a problem especially in hot arid and hot humid climates [7].
Outdoor thermal comfort can be improved by enhancing some design details such as shading
devices, selection of surface materials, vegetation and water bodies on the site. Many studies examine
the specific parameters that effect the outdoor thermal comfort. Thermal comfort condition in 12
different outdoor space points were examined in the Great Athens area using two different thermal
comfort bioclimatic approaches: “Comfa” and “thermal sensation”. The study was performed during
the summer using two scenarios. It was shown that thermal comfort conditions were enhanced with
the scenario that used green and water spaces and construction materials with high reflectivity and
emissivity values [8]. D. Taleb & H. Taleb investigates the significance of orientation of projects in an
open land in Dubai. Numerous alternatives study the effect of temperature and wind readings on the
outdoor thermal comfort levels by using ENVI‐met. It was found that staggered formation of buildings
allow higher wind speeds rather than a solid edge [9]. Another study argues that physical
environment and psychological adaptation are complementary rather than contradictory. Issues such
as: naturalness, expectations, experience, time of exposure, control and environmental simulation were
focused on. It was initiated that different approaches depend on different seasons. However, providing
a range of spaces with different environments would expand both psychological and physical
adaptation [10]. Rohizan and Abidin examined the relationship between RH with SBS and perception
of comfort. They suggest an improved ventilation system and monthly maintenance should be
performed to provide a safe and healthy work environment [11].
2. Methodology
This study follows a linear analysis of the case study. The main aim is to investigate the best
scenario for this district typology considering the current climate condition. The first step was the
selection of the neighbourhood for this analysis. Since core of the study is analysing the housing
programs from the Government entities, the selected neighbourhood is part of this program. The site
measurements bring valuable information for the boundary conditions of the simulating program, in
this case ENVI‐met. The simulations then are done with ENVI‐met 4.0. The different scenarios are
carefully selected and build in order to understand the PMV values.
Outdoor Thermal Comfort (OTC) Study on a district level as part of the Housing Programs
in United Arab Emirates
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