Multi-objectives evaluation framework: A comparative study on the relationship between urban form and key environmental performance indicators in Tianjin Eco-city

Abstract

This study is a continuity of the previous studies done at the Centre for Sustainable Asian Cities in discussing the relationship between density, urban form, urban environmental performance, urban sustainability, and the relationship between these domains. A quantitative framework to evaluate the key environmental factors affecting physiological & psychological comfort and building energy consumption was developed and demonstrated. The framework involves simulations on facąde Vertical Daylight Factor, facąde and envelope Sky Exposure Factor, urban surface Sky View Factor, and envelope annual cumulative irradiance at precinct scale in the context of the Tianjin Eco-city. The results highlight the presence of strong and significant correlations between urban form characteristics and key environmental performance indicators. These correlations are useful to inform the primary and secondary planning & design parameters that may affect each performance area and to understand the differences in the impact of each design parameters on various performance areas.