Achieving thermal comfort and sustainable urban development in accordance with the principles of bioclimatic architecture: A case study of Ulcinj (Montenegro)

Abstract

Human communities have always taken actions to create a healthier environment for living and working. Those efforts are best documented in the architectural structure everywhere, starting from ancient history to the present. It is assumed that the town of Ulcinj is one of the earliest cities on the Adriatic coast. The building morphology and urban structure of Ulcinj is 2,500 years old and is continued by multi-ethnical society. Hence, the urban structure of Ulcinj developed harmonically across the rock hills which encompass the city beach, forming the urban structure which is perceived as the unity of land and sea. The study investigates the Ulcinj urban structure, urban management, sustainable development, focusing on human comfort, and environmental actions with a view to accomplish better and more natural life. Bioclimatic passive design principles are associated with an environmental sustainable design, interrelated to the microclimate of the region, connected to the thermal, spatial, visual, acoustic, and air quality. The research method consists of empirical observation through the city and riviera. According to the conceptual findings of this paper, with a proper implementation of bioclimatic passive principles, the work seeks to indicate that it is possible to achieve a higher level than the current one. Hence, the huge number of tourists and overnight stays can make a difference in eco-tourism, and sustainable development if we can achieve energy efficiency, and preserve the natural resources in accordance with passive bioclimatic principles.

Outdoor thermal comfort research in urban areas of Central and Southeast Europe: A review

“…Similar situation with Montenegro, where research articles are not specifically focused on OTC, but it is mentioned in some of the articles regarding climatological aspect of tourism seasonality and development (Joksimović et al, 2014) and urban design and sustainable development (Bajçinovci, 2017), as well as air temperature changes and extreme events (Burić et al, 2014;Doderović & Burić, 2015;Burić et al, 2015).…”

Climate as an area of strategic intervention in urban development

“…Other climate-significant aspects are the development of passive buildings and air ventilation (Alexander, 2008;Yang, 2014). As argued by Bajçinovci (2017), "[...] passive design principles are associated with sustainable environmental design". This particularly means thermal, spatial, visual, acoustic and air quality aspects and the relationship between architecture, nature and the community (McNamara and Buggy 2017).…”

Sustainability of Waste Materials in Affinity with Ecologically Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Kosovo

“…Moreover, urban regions are spatially unique and very characteristic in affinity to the waste management. Hence, human communities have consistently made efforts to create a healthier environment [1]. Kosovo, generally produces a large amount of waste, particularly Prishtina as its capital city.…”