Search Results (58)

Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential for student health, cognitive performance, and overall well-being. Traditional ventilation strategies, particularly constant air volume systems and manual window operation, often fail to maintain optimal IAQ while simultaneously increasing building energy consumption. In response, smart ventilation systems have emerged as a promising alternative capable of dynamically modulating airflow based on occupancy patterns and real-time pollutant levels. This study presents a systematic review of fourteen carefully selected peer-reviewed studies (2015–2025) that represent the most recent and methodologically robust research on smart ventilation applications in school environments across diverse climatic conditions. The selected studies encompass experimental, simulation-based, and hybrid methodologies, and classify control strategies into demand-controlled, temperature-adaptive, occupancy-based, AI-enhanced, and building management system (BMS)-integrated approaches. Collectively, the findings demonstrate measurable improvements in IAQ indicators (e.g., carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM_2.5), ozone (O₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) and significant energy savings, in some cases exceeding 60%, while also identifying system vulnerabilities such as fault sensitivity, short monitoring durations, and limited long-term validation. Importantly, the review reveals critical geographic and climatic research gaps, particularly in hot–arid regions where ventilation-related cooling demand is substantial, as well as limited long-term assessments in cold climates. Furthermore, although smart ventilation systems perform effectively under controlled conditions, insufficient real-world verification, user interaction analysis, and climate-specific optimization constrain broader implementation. Addressing these gaps through climate-dependent performance evaluation and long-term operational studies is essential to unlocking the full potential of smart ventilation systems in delivering healthier, energy-efficient classrooms. Full article

Over the past decade, state-led waterfront projects in the Gulf region have emerged as an intriguing urban phenomenon, repositioning World Heritage Sites (WHSs) located along coastal zones within large-scale urban development. In a region increasingly exposed to urban transformation and a hot-arid climate, these waterfront transformations also intersect with the emerging need for climate-adaptive urban resilience. While such projects are often framed as a means of contemporary extension of heritage assets, their implications for WHSs remain underexamined. This study investigates how state-led waterfront developments in the peripheries of the World Heritage Sites function as socio-spatial mediators that reconnect maritime heritage with these sites while enhancing or undermining urban resilience and climate adaptability. Drawing on comparative case studies from the Historic Jeddah (inscribed in 2014) and the Pearling Testimony of an Island Economy, Muharraq, Bahrain (inscribed in 2012), the data collection comprises literature synthesis, policy and planning documents, state-led waterfront proposals, and site observations, analyzed through the Comprehensive Waterfront Development Index (CWDI) framework. The analysis expands the existing six dimensions of the CWDI framework to eight dimensions and dissects two of the dimensions to a further two more. This expansion and dissection contextualize waterfront developments as socio-spatial mediators re-connecting maritime heritage with the WHSs. Findings reveal that while both cases integrate CWDI dimensions, social integration is limited, whereas climate adaptation remains absent, diminishing the urban resilience of the WHS. By doing so, this study contributes to broader debates on sustainable development and climate-adaptive urban resilience in rapidly transforming peripheries of WHSs. Full article

This study addresses a critical methodological gap in evaluating building envelope performance in hot, arid climates, the overreliance on annual energy indicators, which fail to capture transient thermal behavior during peak-load periods. In such environments, instantaneous heat gains, their intensity, and temporal distribution are decisive factors for cooling demand, occupant comfort, and grid stability. To overcome this limitation, a dynamic evaluation framework—the Thermal Adaptation Rating (TAC) system—is proposed. TAC integrates three interrelated indices—peak temperature reduction (ΔT_peak), relative peak cooling load reduction (ΔP_peak, %), and peak thermal delay (Δt_delay), representing thermal damping, load intensity mitigation, and temporal redistribution, respectively. A typical residential building in Karbala was modeled in DesignBuilder using the EnergyPlus engine, with inputs documented and calibration performed against real consumption data following ASHRAE standards (MBE and CV(RMSE)) to ensure reliability. The study examined advanced envelope systems, including thermochromic glass (TG), phase-change materials (PCMs), aerogel materials (AMs), and hybrid combinations. Results revealed that while AM achieved the greatest annual energy savings, its impact on instantaneous cooling load was limited. PCM, by contrast, effectively mitigated and delayed peak loads, enhancing thermal comfort (PMV/PPD). Hybrid systems, particularly TG-PCM, delivered the most balanced performance, simultaneously reducing peak cooling load and shifting its occurrence to reshape the cooling demand curve during critical periods. These findings demonstrate that annual indices alone are insufficient for evaluating envelope performance in extreme climates. Peak-condition analysis, expressed in terms of instantaneous cooling load, as operationalized through TAC, provides a more accurate representation of thermal behavior and offers a practical tool to guide envelope design decisions in hot, dry regions. Full article

High-resolution Köppen–Geiger projections indicate that several cold desert (BWk) regions are likely to transition toward hot desert (BWh) regimes during the twenty-first century, challenging the environmental logic of vernacular architecture. Despite extensive simulation-based research on passive cooling in established BWh contexts, limited attention has been given to climate-type transition zones and to the morphological continuity of traditional housing systems. This study investigates the adaptive capacity of Bukhara’s courtyard houses under projected BWk–BWh reclassification. Employing an analytical generalization approach, the research integrates systematic literature mapping, typological morphological analysis, and a threshold-based compatibility matrix. Findings reveal that climate transition produces a form of morphological discontinuity by weakening diurnal discharge assumptions embedded in high thermal mass systems. However, courtyard typologies retain a resilient passive core when recalibrated through microclimatic amplification strategies. The proposed staged adaptation framework contributes a heritage-sensitive decision model that reconciles climatic performance with spatial integrity, offering transferable guidance for cli-mate-intensifying desert regions. Full article

This study examines the gap concerning occupants’ perceived thermal comfort and objectively measured indoor conditions in a green university building in Riyadh. The purpose is to assess occupant satisfaction with thermal conditions, compare subjective responses with physical measurements, and derive design and operational implications for educational buildings in hot-arid climates. The primary aim was to assess occupant satisfaction with indoor thermal conditions and to measure key environmental parameters to provide a thorough assessment of thermal comfort. A cross-sectional approach was used, combining subjective data from the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) Occupant Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) survey with objective measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, and air velocity, which were documented over five consecutive working days during the mid-winter period in Riyadh. These parameters were explored using the CBE Thermal Comfort Tool to calculate Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) indices. Statistical analyses examined the relationship between occupant-reported comfort and measured environmental conditions. Results showed that only 36% of occupants reported satisfaction with thermal comfort, while 48% expressed dissatisfaction. In contrast, objective measurements indicated stable indoor conditions within recommended comfort ranges (average temperature 23 °C, humidity 30–34%, MRT 24 °C, air velocity 0.5–1.0 m/s), with PMV values near neutral (−0.2 to 0.0) and PPD below 6%. The observed discrepancy highlights the influence of regional climate, individual adaptability, and perceived control. These findings emphasize the need to integrate both subjective feedback and objective measurements to develop occupant-centered strategies that enhance comfort and well-being in sustainable educational buildings in hot-arid climates. Full article

This study presents a pilot methodological investigation of the thermal performance of a Najdi mudbrick dwelling in Ushaiger, Saudi Arabia, using short-term field monitoring and a preliminary digital-twin inspired workflow. Two field campaigns in August and September 2025 measured indoor and outdoor conditions with a portable weather station under severe site constraints, including lack of electrical infrastructure, restricted access, and the use of consumer-grade sensors. The monitored results indicate that the massive earthen walls attenuated part of the outdoor daily temperature swing, but indoor conditions remained very hot: in August, indoor temperatures averaged 38.1 °C, compared with 40.2 °C outdoors, and in September, indoor temperatures averaged 36.3 °C, compared with 36.1 °C outdoors. A simplified IDA ICE model was compared with the monitored indoor temperature over the available windows, and a post-processing affine bias adjustment was tested only as a diagnostic short-window correction rather than as a transferable calibration. Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis was used in an exploratory way. It examined how passive envelope and boundary-related parameters influenced simulated indoor relative humidity, with infiltration emerging as the dominant factor affecting relative humidity dynamics; peak indoor relative humidity increased from about 67% at 0.15 air changes per hour (ACH) to more than 74% at 0.60 ACH, whereas wall thickness had a modest buffering effect. Given the short monitoring duration and field limitations, the study is not presented as a fully validated digital twin but as a feasibility-oriented workflow that combines constrained in situ monitoring with exploratory simulation to support future, longer-term conservation and adaptive reuse research on earthen heritage in hot–arid climates. Full article

The impacts of climate change on Mediterranean weed flora were investigated to inform future weed management strategies. Projections indicate that rising temperatures and increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are likely to favor ruderal species characterized by rapid phenological development and high dispersal capacity. Enhanced abiotic stressors—such as elevated temperatures, water scarcity, and increased UV-B radiation—are expected to affect crops more severely than weeds, given the latter’s greater evolutionary potential to develop stress-tolerant biotypes. Moreover, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme events (e.g., drought, flooding, and soil salinization) may reduce weed community diversity, potentially leading to dominance by a limited number of highly competitive species and consequently intensifying reliance on chemical weed control. Simplification of weed communities may also increase vulnerability to the introduction and establishment of alien species, particularly those originating from hot and arid regions, some of which may be parasitic, toxic, or allergenic. Climate change-induced phenological mismatches between flowering plants and pollinators are likely to favor wind-pollinated weed species, further compromising the aesthetic and ecological quality of agricultural landscapes. Additionally, increased production of wind-dispersed allergenic pollen, together with the anticipated rise in herbicide applications, may pose significant risks to human health. An effective agronomic strategy to address future weed scenarios should include the genetic improvement in crops to enhance adaptive plasticity, exploiting germplasm from ancestral lines and related wild species. Full article

Contemporary urbanisation in hot-arid cities presents coupled challenges related to sustainability, spatial efficiency, and climate resilience. This study applies Research by Design as a preliminary methodological approach to adapt the superblock typology for Riyadh’s Al-Raed neighbourhood, integrating GIS-based territorial diagnosis with Grasshopper parametric iterations. Sixteen geospatial layers, including land use, density, road hierarchy, transit access, service distribution, green cover, and climatic exposure, inform attractor-based scenario generation and a structured comparative evaluation framework assessing regulatory compliance, human scale, connectivity, and environmental and economic feasibility. The resulting loop-and-courtyard configuration reorganises local streets to strengthen first- and last-mile access, shaded pedestrian continuity, and microclimatic comfort, while supporting Saudi Vision 2030 programs, such as the Quality of Life Program, National Transport and Logistics Strategy, Riyadh Public Transport Program, and Saudi Green Initiative. Quantitative spatial indicators are interpreted alongside design-based morphological reasoning to inform spatial decisions, acknowledging climatic and cultural constraints. This study contributes a reproducible, policy-relevant digital workflow for neighborhood-scale urban transformation in Riyadh and comparable hot-arid contexts. As a preliminary Research by Design phase, it structures iterative scenarios and a structured comparative evaluation framework, providing a foundation for subsequent quantitative and empirical validation. Full article

The use of brackish water associated with intercropping is an approach that can enhance the resilience of agriculture in semi-arid regions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate irrigation with brackish water as a strategy to ensure the sustainability of forage production in isolated and intercropped systems. The study was conducted under a hot semi-arid climate in the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Two water scenarios (rainfed and irrigated) and four production systems with forage cactus-FC (Opuntia stricta) and butterfly pea-BP (Clitória ternatea) were evaluated: FC—forage cactus, BP—butterfly pea, FC+1BP—forage cactus intercropped with one row of BP, and FC+2BP—forage cactus intercropped with two rows of BP. Butterfly pea received supplemental irrigation from February to August, while the forage cactus was irrigated during the dry season (July to December). Our results showed that the strategic management of irrigation with brackish water optimizes biomass and protein production in crops adapted to the tropical semi-arid region. The FC+1BP intercropping system (forage palm with a row of butterfly pea) proved to be the most advantageous, mainly in terms of crude protein production and water use efficiency, proving to be an alternative for forage production and food security for livestock in the tropical semi-arid region. Full article

Wind catchers are widely used as vernacular systems for natural ventilation in hot–arid regions, yet their performance is often compromised by airborne dust. This study investigates the architectural integration of a camel hair–based filtration layer within a traditional down-draft wind catcher in a rural Saudi Arabian context, focusing on airflow behavior, indoor environmental response, and qualitative particulate interception under natural ventilation. Building on the authors’ previously published laboratory research that quantified the PM₁₀ filtration performance of camel hair–based media under controlled conditions, the present work extends the investigation to an in situ architectural application. Field measurements of air velocity, temperature, and relative humidity were conducted during a 24 h dust event to examine system-level behavior following filter integration. PM₁₀ capture was assessed qualitatively through visual inspection and comparative observation, serving as corroborative evidence rather than a standardized filtration metric. Results indicate that the filtration layer alters airflow characteristics without fundamentally disrupting natural ventilation. Indoor thermal conditions are interpreted within the framework of the Adaptive Thermal Comfort Model, appropriate for a free-running building, emphasizing occupant adaptation rather than fixed comfort thresholds. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating a biomimetically inspired, locally sourced natural material within a vernacular ventilation system, contributing architectural insights into balancing dust mitigation and natural ventilation in arid climates. Full article

Urban Heat Island effects and the general rise in outdoor temperatures are increasing the cooling demand in buildings. As a consequence, electrical cooling systems are becoming more common, increasing energy consumption and thus resulting in negative environmental impacts. Optimizing passive solutions that require no energy input can provide substantial benefits for building energy efficiency and urban sustainability. This study presents a research activity, financed by the EU-funded project LIFE SUPERHERO, that enhances existing roofing technologies based on passive cooling; defines an experimental method to assess their benefits in terms of energy savings; and finally evaluates their effectiveness in future climate scenarios based on greenhouse gas Representative Concentration Pathways across a set of mid-temperate/hot climate locations, also in comparison with traditional unventilated roofs. A new Climate Adaptation Efficiency Index (CAEI) was introduced to evaluate the energy efficiency potential of buildings equipped with highly ventilated and permeable clay tile roofs compared to a baseline scenario without the intervention. The results confirm the potential of ventilated and air-permeable roofs to reduce incoming heat flux and support cooling energy-efficiency planning. Indeed, CAEI values were above 20%, reaching 45–50% in hot Mediterranean and arid climates and 28–33% in cooler/temperate contexts. Under future climate scenarios, benefits further increase in the hottest Mediterranean locations, reaching up to 66%, while rising to about 44% in temperate climates, with an average increase of 10–15 percentage points, highlighting the strong potential of highly ventilated and air-permeable clay tile roofs as an effective, affordable, sustainable, and easy-to-install climate adaptation strategy. Full article

Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, is experiencing faster warming than the global trend, making it an important region regarding the study of how climate change is affecting climatic zones. This research aims to identify projected shifts in Köppen–Geiger climate zones under high-emission Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 5-8.5 climate scenarios. The Köppen–Geiger climate classification system is a practical tool that effectively captures climate types based on just two variables: temperature and precipitation. Monthly temperature and precipitation data from Climatic Research Unit (CRU,) ERA5-Land, and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) ensembles from 1951 to 2100 were used to generate climatic zone maps. CMIP6 models were evaluated against meteorological station data and ERA5-Land, with bias metrics used to identify the best-performing models for temperature and precipitation in Kazakhstan. Based on these results, two inter-model datasets were developed and used to generate Köppen–Geiger climate maps for high-emission scenarios for the 2061–2100 time period. This research resulted in two key outcomes. First, to facilitate this analysis, a Google Earth Engine (GEE) application was developed as an open accessible tool for dynamic visualization of Köppen–Geiger climate maps. Second, projected maps based on CMIP6 SSP5-8.5 scenario projections indicate that southern Kazakhstan may shift to BSh (Hot Semi-Arid) and Csa (Mediterranean) climates, and the southwest region of the country is projected to shift to a BWh (Hot Desert) climate. These projected Köppen–Geiger climate maps contributed to climate adaptation efforts by identifying regions at risk of desertification and aridification. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of climate zone transformations in Kazakhstan and offers a practical scalable geovisualization tool for monitoring climate change impacts. This allows users easy access to climate-related information and insights into data processing procedures. Full article

The main challenge for the scientific community is to mitigate climate change impacts while reducing energy consumption, without compromising comfort and quality of life. Buildings in hot climates require specific design strategies to limit the effects of extreme weather and heat waves. Standardized modern buildings, often unsuitable for hot and arid climates, lead to high energy consumption, mainly due to cooling systems, causing both discomfort and energy inefficiency. Previous studies have shown that solutions inspired by local vernacular architecture are often more effective than conventional construction techniques. This paper investigates the thermal response and discomfort intensity in two building models exposed to various climate scenarios: a typical modern residential building and a bioclimatic vernacular-inspired building. The analysis is conducted through dynamic thermal simulations under current as well as future medium- and long-term climate change scenarios. The study evaluates the buildings’ ability to adapt to future environmental changes, an aspect that has not yet been studied in depth. Results show that contemporary buildings experience significantly higher levels of thermal discomfort than vernacular buildings under both present (TMY) and future (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5, 2080) climate conditions. Results show that under the present climate, the vernacular building exhibits about 22% fewer discomfort hours than the contemporary one and roughly half the overheating integrated degree-hours. Under future scenarios, overheating increases by 25.8% to 67.7% in the contemporary building and 36.1% to 89.6% in the vernacular building, yet the vernacular building consistently maintains substantially lower discomfort levels. Overall, vernacular inspired envelopes remain more resilient to warming in all scenarios, but additional adaptation measures are required to ensure acceptable summer comfort by late century. Full article

Industrial workplaces, especially in vulnerable, hot, and arid developing countries, face major challenges in maintaining indoor comfort conditions due to the escalating problem of global temperature rise. This study investigates passive scenarios of adaptive retrofitting for a case study carpet and rug industrial plant in Cairo, Egypt to achieve indoor comfort conditions and energy efficiency. The research method included a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) for the operational phase of individual work units through measurements and simulations to investigate indoor thermal, visual, and acoustic comfort conditions as well as air quality concerns. Thus, the study presents a set of recommendations for building unit(s) and collectively for the entire facility by applying integrated application of building envelope enhancements; optimized opening design, thermal wall insulation and high-albedo (reflective) exterior coatings for wall and roof surfaces. Comparing the modified case to the base case scenario shows significant improvements. Thermal comfort achieved a 16% to 33% reduction in discomfort hours during peak summer, primarily through a 33% increase in air flow velocity and better humidity control. Visual comfort indicated improvements in daylight harvesting, with Daylighting Autonomy increasing by 47% to 64% in core areas, improving light uniformity and reducing glare potential by decreasing peak illuminance by approximately 25%. Thus, the combined envelope and system modifications resulted in a 60 to 80% reduction in monthly Energy Use Intensity (EUI). The effectiveness of the mitigation measures using acoustic insulation was demonstrated in reducing sound pollution transferring outdoors, but the high indoor sound levels require further near-source mitigation or specialized acoustic treatment for complete success. Eventually, the research method helps create a mechanism for measuring and controlling indoor comfort conditions, provide an internal baseline or benchmark to which future development can be compared against, and pinpoint areas of improvement. This can act as a pilot project for green solutions to mitigate the problem of climate change in industrial workplaces and pave the way for further collaboration with the industrial sector. Full article

Urban streets in hot climates often suffer from inadequate shade, exacerbating pedestrian discomfort, urban heat island effects, and energy demands for cooling. Traditional tree-planting approaches overlook dynamic solar paths, building-induced shadows, and spacing requirements, resulting in suboptimal shade coverage and resource inefficiency. This study introduces a computational workflow in Rhino/Grasshopper to optimize tree placement and canopy radii through analysis of solar radiation and shadow patterns. By prioritizing sun-exposed zones, minimizing shadow overlaps, and ensuring growth-appropriate distances, the tool enhances shade distribution. Integration of parametric modeling and environmental simulations improved thermal comfort, reduced energy use, and evidence-based urban planning strategies. Across ten optimization runs, the workflow achieved a 68% increase in shade coverage, an 11.5 °C reduction in mean radiant temperature (MRT), and a 72% decrease in the spatial extent of high-risk heat-exposure zones, demonstrating its potential for climate-adaptive street design in hot-arid environments. Full article