Solar Radiation and urban planning: factors and interactions in Bahía Blanca, Argentina

Abstract

The article analyzes the spatio-temporal distribution of solar radiation at urban scale and its relation with natural and anthropogenic elements in Bahía Blanca (Argentina). We provide specific knowledge related to the urban solar climate, an essential input for sustainable development local measures, including the improvement of urban green infrastructure. We analyzed the temporal distribution of global solar radiation (GSR) for 2000-2019 and its relationship with cloud cover, where low-level and mid-level clouds have the most significant capacity to reduce GSR, while high-level clouds are the most transparent. Urban morphological descriptors that affect downtown's solar access were analyzed, such as width and orientation of sidewalks, streets width, and buildings height. As findings, GSR is lower in areas with higher buildings, and the construction is compact, where the urban canyons are deeper. Likewise, vegetation in the central sector influences the GSR. Sidewalks with a northwest or northeast orientation have higher radiation values. Suitable sidewalks for planting trees were identified according to sidewalk width and orientation and the depth of the urban canyons.