urban section with key elements of urban climatology

Berlin`s built environment is changing due to urban growth and a resulting high demand for new living space, whereas the impact on the microclimate is widely neglected. The Berlin climate is already challenged by the urban heat island effect. Climate Change and increased urban density will exacerbate this in the future. Hence, the dissertation investigates in environmental densification strategies for the city centre and reflects on applicable measures to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

The core focus of the analysis is the Berlin compact block as the predominant central typology, which accomondates the majority of Berlin´s population and shows the main heat stress pattern during the summer season. The investigations started with literature review and fieldwork at one typical block in order to understand the climatic conditions framed by the prevailing urban layout. Based on that, the climatic behaviour of different notional block configurations was computationally simulated in ENVImet, Diva-for-Rhino and Ladybug. This evaluates the impact of both horizontal and vertical densification strategies on the microclimate, because different urban form configurations essential influence the wind and solar access.

The results evidence that a sensible placement of vertical building mass can help to maintain the microclimatic conditions and preserve space to apply urban heat island mitigation strategies such as shady trees and ecological valuable ground surfaces. This vertical densification approach includes the maintenance of sky view factors to encourages night time cooling and ensure initial daylight conditions at the pedestrian level. Further, a protection of horizontal gaps helps to balance the air temperature between the problematic urban canyon and the green courtyard. Finally, the derived urban design guidelines in terms of urban form recommendations and cooling strategies are exemplified schematically.

Environmental Densification Strategies for Berlin`s Urban Blocks Mitigating the Urban Heat Island

MSc Architecture and Environmental Design Jil SchrothFaculty of Architecture and the Built Environment MSc Dissertation 2016

Context

Outcomes

Design studies

number of tropical nights in Berlin (minimum temperatures of >=20°C)source: FIS Broker, Maps, Plans, Data, online by the Senate Depatment Berlin

methodology and analysis steps vertical and horizontal configurations

Reinickendorfer Straße

Pank

e

Gottsched-

Bornemann

straße

straße

Brunn

en-

Schönstedt

Brunn

en-

41

15

open gaps 2 p.m.

68°C45°C

17,7°C

28,7°C68°C45°C

18m

H/W 1

intial situation

July

N

2,21 kWh/m2

cany

on

one-side extension with offset evaluation ENVImet simualtion, 21th of July, DIVA-for-Rhino

one-side extention

H/W ratio and sky view factor analysis daliy average global radiation, Ladybug in Rhino

offset approach

S N S N S

cour

tyar

dW E E EW W

cany

on

cany

on

Dec

embe

r

2,66 kWh/m2

0,77 kWh/m2

0,31 kWh/m2

N S N S N S

W E E EW W

closed gaps

dense courty

ard

open gaps

closed gaps

dense courty

ard

notional basis

fieldwork block

one-side ex

tension with

offset

adding greenery

4 a.m.

28,6°C

17,5°C

18°C

23,9°C

23,9°C

0,2m/s

2,0m/s

31%

15%

Daily deaths (all causes) and daily maxima of the Universal Ther-mal Climate Index (UTCI) in Berlin in 2010 compared to mean values based on 2000-2010

vegetation permeability

albedo

new mass

Climate Change

solar radiation

Urban Growth

wind velocity

urban form energy use

α

α

source: edited from Scherber, K., 2014. Impacts of thermal load and air pollution on fully inpatient admissions and deaths in hospitals during summer months in Berlin and Brandenburg.

daily deaths

mean value of dailydeaths 2000-2010

daily maxima UTCI

mean value daily maxima UTCI 2000-2010

population density, editing status: Oct. 2011source: FIS Broker, Maps, Plans, Data, online by the Senate Depatment Berlin

compact urban block types in Berlinsource: FIS Broker, Maps, Plans, Data, online by the Senate Depatment Berlin

H/W 1

18m 18m 18m

30m

applicability example of recommended urban design guidelines