Urban thermodynamics

CIVIL-309 / 3 credits

Teacher: Khovalyg Dolaana

Language: English

Summary

Urban neighborhoods are analyzed thermodynamically: heat exchange between buildings, vegetation, water, the ground, and people. Using CityTherm, the course's own interactive web tool, students diagnose the Urban Heat Island effect, the role of urban form and materials, and mitigation strategies.

Content

  • Analysis of urban physical processes at micro- and local scales, the Urban Heat Island effect
  • Features of the urban environment, urban micro-meteorology, and Local Climate Zones (LCZ)
  • Modes of heat transfer in the urban environment: conduction, radiation, convection, and evaporation
  • Surface energy balance at urban interfaces; thermal interactions among the environment, buildings, vegetation, ground, and water surfaces
  • Spatial distribution and dynamics of airflow, temperature, and humidity in urban areas
  • Influence of urban materials and urban form on heat exchange and environmental quality
  • Human outdoor comfort: governing parameters and comfort indices (UTCI, PET)
  • Urban modeling and analysis of geospatial urban data with the CityTherm web tool
  • Mitigation strategies and climate-sensitive urban design

 

Keywords

Urban energy exchange, urban microclimate, urban heat island effect, urban morphology, outdoor comfort, built environment, geospatial data analysis, climate-sensitive urban design.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

None

Recommended courses

None

Important concepts to start the course

Heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation). Thermodynamic properties of construction materials, water, and air.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Assess / Evaluate various modes of heat transfer in the urban environment.
  • Assess / Evaluate surface energy balance at various urban interfaces.
  • Carry out thermodynamics analysis at the urban scale.
  • Critique the choice of urban materials and design and propose alternative solutions.
  • Examine the effect of the outdoor built environment on human comfort.
  • Interpret geospatial urban data to diagnose thermal hot and cool spots in a city.
  • Quantify the magnitude of the Urban Heat Island effect from measured and modeled urban data.

Transversal skills

  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
  • Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking
  • Take account of the social and human dimensions of the engineering profession.
  • Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
  • Plan and carry out activities in a way which makes optimal use of available time and other resources.

Teaching methods

Ex cathedra lectures; hands-on analysis of urban geospatial data using CityTherm (the interactive web tool developed for this course); supervised exercises and problem-solving sessions.

Expected student activities

Attend lectures, participate in class, navigate the CityTherm web tool to analyze and interpret urban geospatial data, and apply theoretical concepts through supervised exercises.

Assessment methods

Two individual written exams (closed book) during the semester. A mid-semester exam (30%) and a final exam (70%), based on the analysis of urban thermal data and theoretical concepts.

Supervision

Office hours Yes
Assistant.e.s Yes
Forum No

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

 

 

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

In the programs

  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
  • Subject examined: Urban thermodynamics
  • Courses: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Lab: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory

Reference week

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