Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiacheng Zhao, Xiang Zhao, Shunlin Liang, Haoyu Wang, Naijing Liu, Ping Liu, Donghai Wu
Summary: The study utilized Landsat-based time series data to analyze changes in permanent UGS greenness, surface-cooling effects, and their biophysical responses in Beijing over the past 40 years (1984-2020). The results revealed segmented changes in UGS surface cooling, mainly tied to canopy transpiration and albedo responses to vegetation conditions. During the recent two decades of rapid greening, transpiration cooling surpassed albedo-induced warming, providing noticeable cooling enhancement.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liang Yan, Wenxiao Jia, Shuqing Zhao
Summary: Urban green spaces provide important ecosystem services such as air purification and temperature reduction. A case study in Beijing found that vegetation density is the key driver for the cooling effect of urban green spaces in mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yan Hu, Zhengxuan Liu, Zhengtao Ai, Guoqiang Zhang
Summary: Ventilative cooling is an energy-saving technology that improves indoor air quality while reducing thermal discomfort and overheating risk in buildings. However, the lack of an optimal control strategy hinders its widespread application. This study developed a building model to evaluate the performance of ventilative cooling systems in different cities of China. The findings suggest that an adaptive thermal comfort model may not be optimal in terms of energy efficiency, and considering radiant temperature is important for accurate energy usage estimation. The study also highlights the importance of eliminating drawbacks in the control limits to effectively harness the energy-saving potential of ventilative cooling.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Yuhan Shao, Yiying Hao, Yuting Yin, Yu Meng, Zhenying Xue
Summary: The importance of multi-sensory perception in constructing human landscape experiences has been emphasized in contemporary urban life. This study explored the aural-visual interaction attributes that may influence people's perceived soundscape comfort in urban green spaces (UGSs). Results suggested that a low level of environmental sound does not correspond to higher ratings on overall soundscape comfort. It was also found that an environmental sound level of 77 dBA was a turning point in the relation between people's soundscape comfort and its influential indicators in UGSs.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Jiayi Lin, Songlin Jiang, Shuangyu Zhang, Siyu Yang, Wenli Ji, Weizhong Li
Summary: This study investigated the thermal perception of respondents in typical open spaces in the urban area of Lanzhou, China. The findings reveal that wind speed significantly decreases as the distance from the Yellow River increases, and the cold lake effect of the Yellow River dominates the wind environment. The site closest to the Yellow River exhibits the strongest correlation between wind speed and the respondents' thermal sensation, and there is a strong positive correlation between the model output and different spatial measurement values. This study quantitatively evaluated the thermal comfort and perception in typical spaces and validated the reliability of parameterized modeling for such spaces.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mengru Zhang, Fei Zhang, Daosheng Chen, Mou Leong Tan, Ngai Weng Chan
Summary: This study investigates the prediction of local land surface temperature using vegetation and landscape indices as independent variables and gray-green space. The findings show that the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBRT) model has the best prediction effect, and the proportion of urban green space (UGS) patches in the landscape area is the most influential index. The study highlights the importance of considering gray space and building materials in mitigating the heat island effect and improving thermal comfort in urban areas.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Palanisamy Dhamodharan, Bakthavatsalam Kannappan Ayalur, J. Judefelix, Rajendran Prabakaran, Sung Chul Kim
Summary: The applicability of recovered air-conditioning condensate in a Ceiling Mounted Radiant Cooling Unit (CMRCU) for achieving thermal comfort in a cabin has been studied. The study includes field assessment, exergy analysis, simulation, and experiments. The results show that using the recovered condensate can enhance the system performance and achieve thermal comfort in the cabin. Additionally, a thermal energy storage system can prolong the thermal comfort period. Energy and economic analysis demonstrate that effective use of the condensate can save energy and fulfill the requirements for green building certification.
APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Zhihao Ma, Dongliang Zhao, Faming Wang, Ronggui Yang
Summary: Personal thermal management techniques have great potential for improving thermal comfort and energy saving. Researchers have investigated novel radiative cooling/heating textiles, but there is a lack of effective evaluation methods for their thermal performance. This study aims to build a comprehensive model to evaluate the thermal comfort and energy saving effectiveness of novel textiles, considering factors like air gap thickness.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Fareeq Tawfeeq Najah, Sally Fakhri Khalaf Abdullah, Tamarah Ameen Abdulkareem
Summary: Urban sprawl has led to changes in landscaping, replacing open areas and green urban spaces with buildings and infrastructure. This transformation has resulted in the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, causing urban centers to be warmer than rural areas. The research aims to assess the impact of green urban spaces' area and building formation on the exacerbation of UHI in Baghdad city.
ALEXANDRIA ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Udayasoorian Kaaviya Priya, Ramalingam Senthil
Summary: The ongoing population explosion in urban areas leads to more impermeable surfaces and exacerbates the urban heat island effect, affecting the comfort and health of city residents. Researchers are focusing on using vegetation to improve urban microclimate, with green roofs, trees, and vertical greening systems able to significantly reduce air temperature.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Manob Das, Arijit Das, Sahil Momin
Summary: This study assesses the cooling effect of urban parks on the thermal environment in Kolkata Metropolitan Area, India. The results indicate that urban parks have a significant impact on reducing temperatures and that greenness has a negative effect on the thermal environment.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Pui Kwan Cheung, Stephen J. Livesley, Kerry A. Nice
Summary: Modern agricultural irrigation can provide extensive cooling effects to offset global climate change. Research shows that irrigating urban green spaces can significantly reduce air temperatures, with the greatest cooling potential observed in arid cities.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel Castro Medina, MCarmen Guerrero Delgado, Teresa Rocio Palomo Amores, Aurore Toulou, Jose Sanchez Ramos, Servando Alvarez Dominguez
Summary: Open spaces in cities have become inhospitable to citizens due to high temperatures, hindering outdoor activities. Microclimate control based on natural cooling techniques is proposed as a solution to create comfortable conditions in these spaces. The study demonstrates the feasibility of this methodology using a case study of an unused space, showing that by designing a system that utilizes nighttime cooling and water storage, temperature and air comfort can be achieved.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min Wang, Haoyang Song, Wen Zhu, Yuncai Wang
Summary: Optimizing the configuration of green-blue spaces is crucial in mitigating the urban heat island effect. This study investigated green-blue spaces in 30 urban waterfront communities in Kunshan City, China, and identified the configuration indicators and their thresholds that affect the cooling effect. The findings provide practical guidance for enhancing climate resilience in coastal cities by efficiently exploiting the synergistic cooling effects of green-blue space.
Article
Forestry
Boya Yu, Jie Bai, Linjie Wen, Yuying Chai
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the psychophysiological effects of traffic sounds in urban green spaces. In a laboratory experiment, both psychological and physiological responses to four types of traffic sounds were measured. The findings revealed that traffic sounds had significant detrimental effects on both psychological and physiological levels. Psychological responses were more influenced by peak sound level rather than equivalent sound level. Physiological effects varied depending on the type and level of traffic sound. The high-speed train sound elicited distinct physiological responses compared to the other three traffic sounds. The physiological effects of road traffic sounds were independent of sound level, whereas for railway sounds, the change in sound level significantly affected participants' physiological indicators.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xiyan Xu, Shuming Liu, Shibo Sun, Wenwei Zhang, Ying Liu, Zhaoming Lao, Guancheng Guo, Kate Smith, Yong Cui, Wei Liu, Ester Higueras Garcia, Jianning Zhu
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2019)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Farshid Aram, Ebrahim Solgi, Ester Higueras Garcia, Danial S. Mohammadzadeh, Amir Mosavi, Shahaboddin Shamshirband
Article
Energy & Fuels
Farshid Aram, Ebrahim Solgi, Ester Higueras Garcia, Amir Mosavi, Annamaria R. Varkonyi-Koczy
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mahla Tayefi Nasrabadi, Ester Higueras Garcia, Maryam Pourzakarya
Summary: The study focuses on creating sustainable neighborhoods through the participation of children. It found that home, playing with others, and cycling are the most favored activities and spaces by children in terms of neighborhood sustainability indicators.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng Pan, Dongxiang Zhang, Xiyan Xu, Alemtsehay Tesfay Reda, Jinying Li
Summary: The study demonstrates that the CP-AO electrode shows good UO22+ adsorption efficiency in acidic conditions, with considerable selectivity towards competitive ions and good reusability. The electrosorption mechanisms involve electric field force for moving UO22+ to the electrode surface, resulting in electrodeposition of uranium compounds and formation of electrically neutral substances. This suggests that CP-AO could be a desirable treatment approach for acidic uranium-containing wastewater with promising practical applications.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Urban Studies
Ester Higueras-Garcia, Jose Ma Ezquiaga-Dominguez
Summary: This article aims to design the renovation of neighbourhoods in consolidated cities, focusing on the public space to improve the urban environment and the health of its inhabitants. The research is based on the premise that urban planning can solve problems derived from urban activities, that the urban environment influences the population's health, and that public space offers an opportunity for comprehensive renovation. The study utilizes a systematic search for plans, projects, guides, and handbooks, and proposes socio-environmental actions for neighbourhoods, with greenery as a key pillar in addressing these issues.
CIUDAD Y TERRITORIO-ESTUDIOS TERRITORIALES-CYTET
(2022)
Article
Urban Studies
Maria Cristina Garcia-Gonzalez, Ester Higueras Garcia, Cristina Gallego Gamazo, Elisa Pozo Menendez, Emilia Roman Lopez
Summary: Urban planning has always been closely linked to health as a discipline. The demands of welfare society, environmental sustainability, and the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need to update this relationship. The URB_HealthS project aims to study how to promote health in contemporary cities through the urban design of public spaces. A knowledge transfer model between academia and local society has been defined and implemented in three European localities.
CIUDADES-REVISTA DEL INSTITUTO UNIVERSITARIO DE URBANISTICA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE VALLADOLID
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisa Pozo Menendez, Ester Higueras Garcia
Summary: The concept of dementia-friendly cities and communities has been widely disseminated internationally since 2016, showing a close relationship with built environment design, health promotion, and community connections. However, the reality varies greatly in different countries due to factors such as sociosanitary services, demographics, and culture.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Gerontology
Maria Teresa Baquero Larriva, Ester Higueras Garcia
Summary: This study provides a systematic review of the differences in soundscape evaluation between older adults and other age groups. The results show that older adults are more sensitive to noise annoyance and have less variation in sound level evaluation. More research is needed in soundscape design to improve the health and quality of life for older adults.
JOURNAL OF POPULATION AGEING
(2023)
Review
Urban Studies
Murillo Calixto Navarro Oliveira, Cristiano Capellani Quaresma
Summary: This research aimed to understand the current state of academic production in assessing urban interventions in peripheral areas of Brazilian cities. The systematic literature review analyzed articles published in Portuguese between 2011 and 2021, revealing three study categories and highlighting the role of the State in equitable city management, new urbanization dynamics, and the importance of architecture and urbanism courses in improving housing and public spaces for vulnerable populations.
URBE-REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GESTAO URBANA
(2022)
Article
Architecture
Jose Carpio-Pinedo, Elisa Pozo Menendez, Francisco Jose Lamiquiz Dauden, Ester Higueras Garcia
Summary: The principles of sustainability advocate compactness, density, and diversity as key characteristics of optimal city development, but the Covid-19 crisis challenges these factors. This study aims to identify self-sufficient areas in urban tissue to manage epidemics, with a focus on promoting healthier lifestyles during lockdown. Madrid's analysis offers insights into the challenges of implementing such strategies in dense and diverse cities.
URBAN DESIGN INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Elisa Pozo Menendez, Ester Higueras Garcia
Article
Regional & Urban Planning
Maria Teresa Baquero Larriva, Ester Higueras Garcia
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Farshid Aram, Ester Higueras Garcia, Ebrahim Solgi, Soran Mansournia
Article
Urban Studies
Alba Cristina Nunez Basantes, Ester Higueras Garcia
URBE-REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GESTAO URBANA
(2018)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Samiran Khorat, Debashish Das, Rupali Khatun, Sk Mohammad Aziz, Prashant Anand, Ansar Khan, Mattheos Santamouris, Dev Niyogi
Summary: Cool roofs can effectively mitigate heatwave-induced excess heat and enhance thermal comfort in urban areas. Implementing cool roofs can significantly improve urban meteorology and thermal comfort, reducing energy flux and heat stress.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Qi Li, Jiayu Chen, Xiaowei Luo
Summary: This study focuses on the vertical wind conditions as a main external factor that limits the energy assessment of high-rise buildings in urban areas. Traditional tools for energy assessment of buildings use a universal vertical wind profile estimation, without taking into account the unique wind speed in each direction induced by the various shapes and configurations of buildings in cities. To address this limitation, the study developed an omnidirectional urban vertical wind speed estimation method using direction-dependent building morphologies and machine learning algorithms.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xiaojun Luo, Lamine Mahdjoubi
Summary: This paper presents an integrated blockchain and machine learning-based energy management framework for multiple forms of energy allocation and transmission among multiple domestic buildings. Machine learning is used to predict energy generation and consumption patterns, and the proposed framework establishes optimal and automated energy allocation through peer-to-peer energy transactions. The approach contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhances environmental sustainability.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ying Yu, Yuanwei Xiao, Jinshuai Chou, Xingyu Wang, Liu Yang
Summary: This study proposes a dual-layer optimization design method to maximize the energy sharing potential, enhance collaborative benefits, and reduce the storage capacity of building clusters. Case studies show that the proposed design significantly improves the performance of building clusters, reduces energy storage capacity, and shortens the payback period.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Felix Langner, Weimin Wang, Moritz Frahm, Veit Hagenmeyer
Summary: This paper compares two main approaches to consider uncertainties in model predictive control (MPC) for buildings: robust and stochastic MPC. The results show that compared to a deterministic MPC, the robust MPC increases the electricity cost while providing complete temperature constraint satisfaction, while the stochastic MPC slightly increases the electricity cost but fulfills the thermal comfort requirements.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Somil Yadav, Caroline Hachem-Vermette
Summary: This study proposes a mathematical model to evaluate the performance of a Double Skin Facade (DSF) system and its impact on indoor conditions. The model considers various design parameters and analyzes their effects on the system's electrical output and room temperature.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ruijun Chen, Holly Samuelson, Yukai Zou, Xianghan Zheng, Yifan Cao
Summary: This research introduces an innovative resilient design framework that optimizes building performance by considering a holistic life cycle perspective and accounting for climate projection uncertainties. The study finds that future climate scenarios significantly impact building life cycle performance, with wall U-value, windows U-value, and wall density being major factors. By using ensemble learning and optimization algorithms, predictions for carbon emissions, cost, and indoor discomfort hours can be made, and the best resilient design scheme can be selected. Applying this framework leads to significant improvements in building life cycle performance.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2024)
