Short answer

Orient urban squares to align with prevailing wind directions, utilizing surrounding structures to create wind-capturing openings for summer and wind-sheltering zones for winter to maximize thermal comfort.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Atmosphere (2023)
Method: Simulation and Research through Design (RtD)
Evidence: Strong effect

The orientation of urban squares relative to prevailing wind directions is a critical design factor for optimizing thermal comfort in both summer and winter conditions. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Atmosphere. Using Simulation and research through design (rtd), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Orient urban squares to align with prevailing wind directions, utilizing surrounding structures to create wind-capturing openings for summer and wind-sheltering zones for winter to maximize thermal comfort.

Study

SustainabilityRecentStrong effect

Urban square orientation significantly impacts summer and winter thermal comfort.

The orientation of urban squares relative to prevailing wind directions is a critical design factor for optimizing thermal comfort in both summer and winter conditions.

Atmosphere · 2023

Key Findings

01An opening in an enclosure structure that channels wind into the square is beneficial for summer thermal comfort.
02An enclosure structure without a windward opening provides a more extended wind protection area, improving winter thermal comfort.
03The prototype with the smallest orientation angle to the prevailing summer wind direction offers the most optimized thermal comfort.
04A smaller orientation angle to the prevailing winter wind direction is also more favorable for thermal comfort.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or redesigning urban squares, analyze local prevailing wind directions for summer and winter and orient the square's primary axis and incorporate surrounding built elements to either channel cooling breezes or provide windbreaks accordingly.

Project actions

01When researching existing urban spaces, consider their orientation relative to wind patterns.
02Use simple wind rose data for your local area to inform design decisions.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can the spatial configuration and orientation of urban squares be optimized to improve thermal comfort for users during both summer and winter seasons?

MethodSimulation and Research through Design (RtD)

ProcedureThe study used microclimate simulation software to model various urban square configurations, incorporating elements like vegetation, water, buildings, and ground surfaces. Different spatial typologies and orientations were tested to identify those that provided the most favorable thermal comfort conditions during summer and winter, validated through multi-physics coupling.

ContextUrban public spaces (urban squares)

Variables

IVSpatial configuration and orientation of urban squares, presence/absence of windward openings in enclosure structures.

DVThermal comfort levels, area of optimized thermal comfort.

CVVegetation, waterbodies, buildings, ground materials, target time period (summer/winter), square core zone.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Integration of multiple landscape elements in the simulation.
+Application of Research through Design (RtD) methodology.

Limitations

The complexity of real-world microclimates, including solar radiation, humidity, and heat from surrounding surfaces, was simplified in the simulation.

Reliability & validity

The study used simulation and validation, which provides a controlled environment. However, real-world validation with actual user feedback and on-site measurements would enhance external validity.

Think critically

To what extent do other microclimatic factors, such as solar radiation and humidity, interact with wind direction to influence overall thermal comfort in urban squares?

Design Principles

"Climate-adaptive spatial design: Orient and configure urban spaces to leverage prevailing microclimatic conditions for enhanced user comfort."

Understanding how spatial configuration influences microclimate allows designers to create more comfortable and usable outdoor public spaces. This is crucial for enhancing urban livability and encouraging the use of these areas throughout the year.

What This Means for Your Design

The direction your urban square faces matters a lot for how comfortable it feels. Facing it the right way can make it cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

How to use in your project

1.Use this research to justify your design decisions regarding the orientation and form of an outdoor space in your design project.
2.Cite this study when discussing the impact of microclimate on user comfort in your design rationale.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The orientation of urban public spaces significantly influences their microclimate and user thermal comfort. Research by Ma et al. (2023) indicates that aligning urban squares with prevailing wind directions, utilizing surrounding structures to create wind-capturing openings for summer and wind-sheltering zones for winter, can substantially optimize thermal comfort. This principle of climate-adaptive spatial design is crucial for creating more livable and functional urban environments.

Source

Atmosphere

Optimization of Landscape Spatial Configuration and Form for Thermal Comfort: A Case Study of Urban Square, Shanghai

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about urban square orientation significantly impacts summer and winter thermal comfort?: Orient urban squares to align with prevailing wind directions, utilizing surrounding structures to create wind-capturing openings for summer and wind-sheltering zones for winter to maximize thermal comfort. Evidence: Atmosphere (2023).
Why does "Urban square orientation significantly impacts summer and winter thermal comfort." matter for design?: Understanding how spatial configuration influences microclimate allows designers to create more comfortable and usable outdoor public spaces. This is crucial for enhancing urban livability and encouraging the use of these areas throughout the year.
How can designers apply this research?: Orient urban squares to align with prevailing wind directions, utilizing surrounding structures to create wind-capturing openings for summer and wind-sheltering zones for winter to maximize thermal comfort.
What were the main findings?: An opening in an enclosure structure that channels wind into the square is beneficial for summer thermal comfort.. An enclosure structure without a windward opening provides a more extended wind protection area, improving winter thermal comfort.. The prototype with the smallest orientation angle to the prevailing summer wind direction offers the most optimized thermal comfort.. A smaller orientation angle to the prevailing winter wind direction is also more favorable for thermal comfort.
What research method was used?: Simulation and Research through Design (RtD).
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Atmosphere.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or redesigning urban squares, analyze local prevailing wind directions for summer and winter and orient the square's primary axis and incorporate surrounding built elements to either channel cooling breezes or provide windbreaks accordingly.
What are the limitations?: The study focused on a specific urban square in Shanghai, and findings may vary in different climatic zones or urban typologies. Simulation models are simplifications of complex real-world phenomena.