The role of the landscape elements to improve the urban spaces environmental performance

Abstract

Objectives The absence of environmentally compatible designs for urban spaces that consider the high-density usages is the most important urban problem under discussion. Attaining the thermal comfort for users of the urban spaces directly affects the usage efficiency and improves the quality of life for the residents. This research aims to improve the performance of urban spaces specially the environmental performance by using the various landscape elements to achieve the thermal comfort for its users. Methodology The methodology for achieving the goals can be represented via a theoretical part which spots the various performances of the landscape elements, and an analytical part in which, the Tanta Medical Campus is selected as a case study. A development proposal for the urban design of its urban spaces is presented by focusing on the environmental performance to achieve thermal comfort for users and thus to attain satisfaction within the space. Then an evaluation of the effect of the proposed design, to achieve the best environmental performance of the urban spaces, is done by the use of environmental simulation software “ENVI-MET”. Results This research outlines the results that prove the role of the landscape elements in enhancing the environmental performance such as decreasing air temperature, reducing MRT and reducing surface temperature. The thermal satisfaction for the users, as measured using PMV, has been improved during the daylight hours. The MRT under the shaded areas is reduced due to the proposed development. Originality This paper introduces the redesign of the medical campus at Tanta University by using the various landscape elements considering the functional, Social, environmental and aesthetical needs. By using simulation, tool “ENVI-met”to evaluate the environmental effect of the proposed design, which confirms the distinguished effect of the landscape elements especially the vegetation to achieve the thermal comfort for campus users.