Browsing by Subject "mPET"

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Open Access
Approaching environmental human thermophysiological thresholds for the case of Ankara, Turkey
(Springer, 2020-10-27) Santos Nouri, Andre; Afacan, Yasemin; Çalışkan, O.; Tzu-Ping, L.; Matzarakis, A.
The disclosed study undertook a ‘human centred-approach’ that ascertained and categorised environmental human thermophysiological risk factors by relating them to the human biometeorological system through the use of three widely utilised energy balance model (EBM) indices, the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), the modified PET, and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). The disclosed assessment was carried out over the past decade (i.e., 2010–2019) with a 3-h temporal resolution for the case of Ankara through two WMO meteorological stations to compare both local urban and peri-urban environmental conditions. The study recognised extreme annual variability of human physiological stress (PS) during the different seasons as a result of the biometeorological processing of the singular variables, which in the case of average PET for both stations, varied by up to 75 °C between the winter and summer for the same annual dataset (2012). In addition, all EBMs indicated higher heat stress within the city centre that were conducive of both urban extreme heatwaves and very hot days during the summer months, with extreme heat stress levels lasting for longer than a week with PET values reaching a maximum of 48 °C. Similar cold extremes were found for the winter months, with PET values reaching − 30 °C, and average PS levels varying lower in the case of the peri-urban station.
Open Access
Investigation of the relationship between human thermal comfort and activity patterns within the outdoor spaces of Bilkent University’s Main Campus
(2023-06) Seyednouri, Hadi
The impact of climate change, resulting in rising temperatures, is believed to significantly influence the success or failure of outdoor spaces, with climatic factors playing a crucial role. Research has indicated that the maintenance of a comfortable thermal environment can have a notable impact on individuals' welfare. To date, global climate studies have not provided sufficient local specificity for urban planning and design. Consequently, there has been an increasing interest in incorporating complementary bottom-up perspectives. In line with this interest and focused on a particular case study, this thesis presents the findings of an empirical investigation conducted between May and September of 2022 at the main campus of Bilkent University located in Ankara, Turkey. In order to address physiological and psychological aspects of human thermal comfort and investigate the possible effect of human thermal comfort on lecturers’ and students’ activity patterns within outdoor spaces of the aforementioned campus, a two-phase study was designed. 12 days of observational studies during the first phase of this research produced a behavioral map, which when combined with a Shadow Behavior Simulation (SBS) map established the Points Of Interest (POI) of this research. Subsequently, in the second phase, 64 questionnaires were filled out by the pedestrian while microclimatic factors were measured in the POIs over the course of 13 days. In order to address the stated research questions, test the hypotheses, and propose design recommendations, through the application of the biometeorological RayMan model, the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index, and modified PET were applied, along with statistical analyses using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the cognitive maps considering microclimate. The findings of this study demonstrated good agreement between quantitative and qualitative results, presenting solar radiation as the most significant microclimatic factor. Human thermal comfort also had an impact on activity patterns within the study area, but not as significantly as seating availability for stationary activities and planning and function for moving activities.
Open Access
The relationship between preference utilizing VR and synoptic thermal evaluation the case of public square of Amirkabir, Arak
(2022-12) Taghavi Araghi, Seyed Mahziar
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.