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CR 28:243-256 (2005)
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Abstract
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Outdoor thermal comfort in the old desert city of Beni-Isguen, Algeria
Fazia Ali-Toudert1,*, Moussadek Djenane2, Rafik Bensalem3, Helmut Mayer1
1Meteorological Institute, University of Freiburg, Werderring 10, 79085 Freiburg, Germany 2Department of Architecture, University Mohamed Khider, 7000 Biskra, Algeria 3School of Architecture of Algiers, EPAU, PO Box,
El-Harrach, 16000 Algiers, Algeria
*Email: fazia.alitoudert@meteo.uni-freiburg.de
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ABSTRACT: 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 a 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.
KEY WORDS: Thermal sensation · Street geometry · Street orientation · Hot-dry climate · Vernacular architecture · Physiologically equivalent temperature · PET
Full text in pdf format
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Published in CR Vol.
28, No. 3
(2005) on May 24
Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2005
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