Influence of urban morphology on the thermal performance of buildings

a look at the present and future climate prospects

Abstract

Climate change is a key global challenge in the 21st century and urban design can potentiate these impacts. This work aims to evaluate the influence of climate change on the internal thermal conditions of buildings, considering different urban morphologies. The methodological process consists of: i) structuring and defining nine urban scenarios; ii) generation of future climate files, using as a basis the RCP4.5 and climate projection of 2035; and iii) definition of the limits of thermal comfort and discomfort through the adaptive model. The results show that climate change will impact the internal conditions of buildings, especially the thermal acceptability of users. In Cuiabá, urban scenarios 1, 2 and 3 exceed the upper limit in September, presenting discomfort due to heat in the historical period and in 2035. In Florianópolis, the month of May in the historical period is below the lower limit, in 2035 it falls within the comfort range, i.e. becoming warmer. It is noteworthy that the influence of shading, as in scenarios 1A, 2C and 3A of the surroundings, reduces the hours of heat discomfort and increases the hours of thermal comfort in the module.