Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE

Urbanization is one of the many factors that have caused numerous environmental concerns around the world. Such issues that are the root subject of concern is Urban Heat Island effect, a condition that describes the overheating of cities. Dubai is just one of many cities that have had a rapid growth...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Al-Yaqoob, Dana (author)
Published: 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/137
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1862980618116136960
author Al-Yaqoob, Dana
author_facet Al-Yaqoob, Dana
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Al-Yaqoob, Dana
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2012-06
2013-05-21T12:02:03Z
2013-05-21T12:02:03Z
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 100030
http://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/137
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv en
dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv thermal effects
sand dune
vegetation
urban structures
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
urbanization
urban heat island effect
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Dissertation
description Urbanization is one of the many factors that have caused numerous environmental concerns around the world. Such issues that are the root subject of concern is Urban Heat Island effect, a condition that describes the overheating of cities. Dubai is just one of many cities that have had a rapid growth in development, leading to the condition of urban heat island. This research topic aims to study the effects of vegetation in the shape of sand dune formations to help reduce effects of urban heat island in Dubai, as well as, link back to the cities original typography. Computer simulation was chosen as the major methodology in this research and ENVI-met software was applied as the main simulation tool. The investigations in this research were performed by testing the vegetation dune-like mounds on a selected site against three different base cases to compare the overall effect of surface temperatures around urban areas in Dubai. The results of the research showed that application of trees in a natural and diverse arrangement while still having a mix of different vegetation types around the urban areas is the most effective strategy in tackling excess heat in urban areas. Also, increase in edge compactness and shape complexity of vegetation can decrease surface temperatures and progress the exchanges between vegetation and built-up areas. On the other hand, it was concluded that grass has the least effects on reducing surface temperatures in the urban areas. When designing, the landscape should try to mesh with the existing surroundings, linking back to the area's historic characteristics for additional visual benefits. Based on the results, it is recommended to apply high trees with wide canopies to create best shading and reduction in temperatures. Other suggestions can be guided towards including trees and shrubs along roads, pedestrian paths, and even within parking lots. As a general rule it is suggested to aspire to diminishing the hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, as much as possible.
id budr_6392e7f84db49eaf44fd962afe159238
identifier_str_mv 100030
language_invalid_str_mv en
network_acronym_str budr
network_name_str The British University in Dubai repository
oai_identifier_str oai:bspace.buid.ac.ae:1234/137
publishDate 2012
publisher.none.fl_str_mv The British University in Dubai (BUiD)
repository.mail.fl_str_mv
repository.name.fl_str_mv
repository_id_str
spelling Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAEAl-Yaqoob, Danathermal effectssand dunevegetationurban structuresUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)urbanizationurban heat island effectUrbanization is one of the many factors that have caused numerous environmental concerns around the world. Such issues that are the root subject of concern is Urban Heat Island effect, a condition that describes the overheating of cities. Dubai is just one of many cities that have had a rapid growth in development, leading to the condition of urban heat island. This research topic aims to study the effects of vegetation in the shape of sand dune formations to help reduce effects of urban heat island in Dubai, as well as, link back to the cities original typography. Computer simulation was chosen as the major methodology in this research and ENVI-met software was applied as the main simulation tool. The investigations in this research were performed by testing the vegetation dune-like mounds on a selected site against three different base cases to compare the overall effect of surface temperatures around urban areas in Dubai. The results of the research showed that application of trees in a natural and diverse arrangement while still having a mix of different vegetation types around the urban areas is the most effective strategy in tackling excess heat in urban areas. Also, increase in edge compactness and shape complexity of vegetation can decrease surface temperatures and progress the exchanges between vegetation and built-up areas. On the other hand, it was concluded that grass has the least effects on reducing surface temperatures in the urban areas. When designing, the landscape should try to mesh with the existing surroundings, linking back to the area's historic characteristics for additional visual benefits. Based on the results, it is recommended to apply high trees with wide canopies to create best shading and reduction in temperatures. Other suggestions can be guided towards including trees and shrubs along roads, pedestrian paths, and even within parking lots. As a general rule it is suggested to aspire to diminishing the hard surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, as much as possible.The British University in Dubai (BUiD)2013-05-21T12:02:03Z2013-05-21T12:02:03Z2012-06Dissertationapplication/pdf100030http://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/137enoai:bspace.buid.ac.ae:1234/1372021-10-19T11:59:25Z
spellingShingle Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
Al-Yaqoob, Dana
thermal effects
sand dune
vegetation
urban structures
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
urbanization
urban heat island effect
title Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
title_full Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
title_fullStr Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
title_full_unstemmed Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
title_short Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
title_sort Simulation Study of Thermal Effects of Vegetation Covered Sand dune mounds within the Landscape around Urban Structures in the UAE
topic thermal effects
sand dune
vegetation
urban structures
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
urbanization
urban heat island effect
url http://bspace.buid.ac.ae/handle/1234/137