The relationship between preference utilizing VR and synoptic thermal evaluation the case of public square of Amirkabir, Arak
Author(s)
Advisor
Nouri, Andre SantosDate
2022-12Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
20
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Abstract
Public Open Spaces (POS) have been proven to have a positive effect on people’s life and overall
well-being. As also suggested by the existing literature, the success of a POS can be interrelated
with the number of individuals using it. However, the occurrence of Urban Heat Island (UHIs) has
increased in recent years as a consequence of climate change which can significantly affect the
presence of people in POSs and their usage pattern. Urban green spaces on the other hand can
provide shade that covers outdoor environments, attenuating the effects of UHIs. In addition, urban
inhabitants can benefit from psycho-physiological advantages of urban green spaces. Meanwhile,
Amirkabir square as the first environment with the main concentration on pedestrians rather than
vehicles in the city of Arak, needs urgent improvements in both aesthetics and thermal condition.
To accomplish this aim, alongside thermal sensitive decision making, the use of virtual reality
(VR) as a participatory means can offer a unique opportunity to ensure the positive effects of
local interventions. This method and the integrative mergence
between these two issues, and how they can frame an initial guidance for local design- oriented
action, are interlinked contemporary factors that need to be addressed.
As a result, the study's primary objective is to provide interdisciplinary recommendations for
architects and urban designers on how to effectively approach the alternation of POSs for enhanced
greenery design to approach both thermal comfort and psychological expectations. Hence, this study
investigated people's preferences in four greenery design scenarios using VR techniques, then
compared them to thermal comfort situations to determine whether the preferred scenario chosen by
Araki inhabitants is the same scenario in which people performed best or not. People’s preferences
were studied using VR technology and SPSS software for data interpretation. The quantitative
thermal microclimatic conditions of Amirkabir urban square were obtained through the application
and comparison of energy-based model thermal indices. These indices were the Physiologically
Equivalent Temperature (PET) and the modified PET (mPET) through the use of biometeorological
RayMan pro model. To facilitate the representation of the results, the Climate Tourism/transfer
Information Scheme (CTIS) software was utilized. This innovative methodology revealed in the case
of Arak, that the scenario preferred by people (Scenario D, p<.05), is different from the scenario
with better thermal performance (Scenario A), and that people’s preferences and thermal outcome on
different design scenarios are not necessarily parallel, which draws on local design and planning
orientated professionals that shape cities to work in an interdisciplinary manner whilst addressing
such crucial aspects. Through such a perspective, the modification of the urban fabric can be made
to better ensure the long-term triumph of urban projects.