Clustering weather types for urban outdoor thermal comfort evaluation in a tropical area

Outdoor thermal comfort is a major concern in urban areas throughout the world. Sophisticated modeling techniques have been developed to analyze the interaction of the urban areas with the regional climate. However, in most cases, the assessment of outdoor thermal comfort is not based on a long-term...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Theoretical and applied climatology 2020-01, Vol.139 (1-2), p.659-675
Main Authors: Acero, Juan A., Koh, Elliot J. K., Pignatta, Gloria, Norford, Leslie K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Aquatic Pollution
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Atmospheric Sciences
Boundary conditions
Climate models
Climate science
Climatology
Cluster analysis
Clustering
Courtyards
Diurnal
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Geographical distribution
High rise buildings
Meteorological conditions
Meteorological research
Original Paper
Regional climates
Spatial distribution
Thermal comfort
Tropical climate
Urban areas
Waste Water Technology
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Weather
Weather conditions
Weather types
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Summary:Outdoor thermal comfort is a major concern in urban areas throughout the world. Sophisticated modeling techniques have been developed to analyze the interaction of the urban areas with the regional climate. However, in most cases, the assessment of outdoor thermal comfort is not based on a long-term analysis and provides results only for specific meteorological conditions. In this study, we apply a clustering method to yearly weather files with the aim of obtaining representative boundary conditions for urban microclimatic models. The results describe typical-day weather situations commonly known as weather types. The study is carried out in the hot and humid tropical conditions of Singapore, where ten weather types are defined. The analysis of the clusters’ performance shows adequate results. ENVI-met (v.4.3) model is used to evaluate the impact of weather types on thermal comfort in a courtyard surrounded by high-rise buildings. Results not only show different levels of thermal comfort but also different spatial distribution and diurnal evolution inside the courtyard for each weather type. We conclude that it is relevant to analyze thermal comfort in all predominant weather conditions so as to have an accurate and complete assessment of the existing thermal situation. The approach presented in this study will provide better support to planners and decision makers in the development of urban spaces in regard to their expected use.
ISSN:0177-798X
1434-4483
DOI:10.1007/s00704-019-02992-9