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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
earth and planetary sciences
Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria
Climate Research, Volume 28, No. 3, Year 2005
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Description
The present study addresses the issue of outdoor thermal comfort in a hot and dry climate in relation to urban geometry. This experimental work, conducted in an old desert city, aims to provide some quantitative knowledge on the effectiveness of traditional design forms in ensuring a comfortable thermal environment outdoors under extreme summer conditions. The study focused on the role of the geometry of urban canyons. Air temperature, air humidity and wind speed were measured during summer 2003 in various urban streets in the old Saharan city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria (32.40°N). The short-wave and long-wave radiation fluxes received by a human body from the 3D surroundings were also measured in order to allow an accurate calculation of the heat gained by a pedestrian. Bio-meteorological methodology was used and thermal comfort was expressed by means of the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) index. The results show that the heat stress in a hot-dry climate is very high in unobstructed locations in contrast to sheltered urban sites. The vertical street profile is of prime importance in the resulting thermal sensation. Building materials were also found to play a decisive role. Deep streets together with high thermal capacity materials mitigate the heat stress in the daytime. The high and heavy walls provide more shading and more heat storage, leading to lower surfaces temperatures. Hence, a human body absorbs less short-wave radiation owing to reduced direct exposure, and also less radiant heat from the surrounding environment is absorbed by the body. In contrast, air temperature and air humidity show little dependence on the urban geometry. Therefore, these factors are less relevant indicators for outdoor thermal comfort in the summertime. © Inter-Research 2005.
Authors & Co-Authors
Ali-Toudert, Fazia
Germany, Freiburg Im Breisgau
Universität Freiburg
Djenane, Moussadek
Algeria, Biskra
Université Mohamed Khider Biskra
Bensalem, Rafik
Algeria, Algiers
Ecole Polytechnique D'architecture et D'urbanisme
Mayer, Helmut
Germany, Freiburg Im Breisgau
Universität Freiburg
Statistics
Citations: 163
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.3354/cr028243
ISSN:
0936577X
Research Areas
Cancer
Environmental
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Algeria