Search Results (5)

In the context of increasing urbanization, understanding the influence of urban spatial layouts on microclimatic conditions has become crucial, particularly in high-density reclaimed areas like those in the Macao Peninsula, where optimizing thermal comfort is essential for enhancing residents’ quality of life and promoting sustainable urban development. For this study, we assessed high-density reclaimed plots on the Macao Peninsula for a detailed case study. We conducted on-site measurements along with simulations using ENVI-met software, comparing datasets to ensure model accuracy and reliability. Through careful adjustment of simulation parameters to accurately reflect real-world conditions, we found that building layout and size have a significant effect on the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET). Notably, in the unique climate of the Lingnan area, courtyard layouts demonstrably block external heat and wind, fostering a significantly more comfortable internal microclimate. This design strategy provides not only generous public space for fostering community activities and stronger social bonds, but also creates a visually appealing and cohesive aesthetic. This research seeks to improve resident comfort, optimize urban energy efficiency, and promote sustainable urban development principles. Accordingly, our findings serve as a valuable adaptation reference for urban environmental planning initiatives under the climate in the Lingnan area. Full article

In recent years, semi-outdoor space has become an important research subject in the field of thermal comfort. Overhead space located on the ground floor is a common type of semi-outdoor space in China’s Lingnan region with a hot and humid climate. Its thermal comfort has been scarcely studied. This study aims to reveal the importance and influencing factors of overhead public spaces in hot and humid areas, and to explore the corresponding adaptive behaviors of people. In this research, several overhead public spaces in Shenzhen University were selected to conduct field measurements and questionnaire surveys (n = 509) in hot and cold seasons. The results indicated that the acceptable physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) range for 90% of the population was 26.2–30.4 °C in hot season, 9.9–19.2 °C in cold season, and 17.6–25.3 °C for the whole year. The respondents preferred “neutral” in cold season and “slightly cool” in hot season. Respondents in hot season were more eager to adjust their thermal comfort, while those in cold season were more comfortable exposing themselves to the sun. Concurrently, the neutral temperature and neutral temperature range for different seasons was obtained and compared with the results of other studies. The results provide references for thermal comfort adjustment in hot and humid areas as well as optimization suggestions for the planning and design of overhead spaces. Full article

Effective natural ventilation reduces humidity, cools the space, and enhances thermal comfort. In light of the frequent ventilation issues in the Lingnan area, this research suggests a successful ventilation technique using Jiangmen’s “Yunshan Poetic” Moon Island houses as an example. With its symmetrical architectural layout of townhouses and its primary courtyard villa product, the community typifies the Lingnan area. First off, we discovered that the district’s average temperature is as high as 30.95 °C and its average humidity is as high as 83.592%RH using actual measurements and simulation of heat and humidity data. The district’s buildings’ issues with dampness, peeling walls, and substance mold are primarily caused by poor ventilation. Secondly, the PHOENICS program was used to provide efficient ventilation solutions for the following six aspects: external wind infusion organization, group orientation layout, planar grouping optimization, building façade combination, monolithic building openings, and indoor ventilation block. In order to determine if the technique is effective, the ventilation variables are compared before and after optimization using the Building Ventilation Effectiveness Test and Evaluation Criteria. The study concluded that the building’s architectural characteristics and the local climate have an impact on natural ventilation’s effectiveness. This serves as a guide for both the scientific layout development of future urban settlements and the optimization of ventilation of existing villa buildings in humid and hot areas. Full article

Over the last 20 years, energy consumption in the residential sector in China has grown rapidly, and the growth is faster than that of any other energy form. To assess the limitations of the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption in urban areas, this paper selected Guangzhou as the research area. Specifically, the old town, core area, central area and peri-urban areas, which best reflect the evolutionary characteristics and spatial differentiation of households, were assessed. Based on the surveyed database of community-scale household energy consumption (N = 1097), the spatial heterogeneity of household energy consumption and carbon emissions at the community scale were assessed through exploratory spatial data analysis and the standard deviation ellipse method. The results report that (1) the main sources of energy consumption in Guangzhou households were water heating equipment, kitchen equipment and refrigeration equipment, which were related to the climatic conditions and cultural traditions of the city. (2) There was significant spatial heterogeneity in the carbon emissions from household domestic energy use in Guangzhou. (3) The economic level, the effects of the Lingnan culture and the characteristics of residents are the main drivers influencing the spatial characteristics of household energy consumption and carbon emissions in Guangzhou. We propose that policy development should actively promote energy-efficient equipment, such as water heating and cooling equipment, in urban households and take full account of the basic household energy needs of residents in old urban and suburban areas while promoting the development of low-carbon buildings. Full article

Having a healthy built environment becomes increasingly important, especially under the effects of COVID-19. This paper intends to combine sustainable goals based on climate change with passive design principles to achieve a healthy built environment regarding the building performance of residential buildings. The Yuedao Residential Community in the Lingnan area was taken as an example for the research. Based on relevant standards of healthy buildings, the thermal, light, and acoustic environment requirements were determined. The methods of building performance simulation and on-site measurement were used to quantify the research object environments. Then, the outcomes were obtained based on these standards. As observed, the thermal environment’s adaptive thermal comfort level was level III. It was hot indoors, but the light and acoustic environments met the requirements. Building designs based on a built environment optimized by external shading systems aim to solve problems through building performance simulation and qualitative analysis. After optimization, the thermal environment improved. According to the literature review, this research focused on a healthy built environment with a sustainable passive design in terms of building performance. A research workflow was established that could be used for more practical research, with abundant research methods. The problems were solved to varying degrees, and the Lingnan architectural culture was preserved. Moreover, this research filled the gap in interactive research on healthy built environments with sustainable passive design regarding building performance. Full article