Assessing the influence of neighborhood urban form on outdoor thermal conditions in the hot dry city of Biskra, Algeria

Qaoud, Rami; Adel, Boumerzoug; Sayad, Bouthaina; Alkama, Djamal; Attia, Shady

doi:10.1016/j.asej.2023.102525

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The case study city of Biskra is located in an extreme hot arid desert climate zone, providing an ideal testbed for evaluating outdoor thermal comfort [7]. Biskra lies in southeast Algeria at the northern edge of the Sahara desert (34 • 48 ′ N, 5 • 44 ′ E, 88 m altitude) [27]. The city sits at the southern foothills of the Saharan Atlas Mountains; however, the surrounding terrain is dominated by the vast Sahara.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Comprehensive Study on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Urban Environments through Microclimatic Analysis of Urban Density

Bacha,

Ahriz,

Alshenaifi

et al. 2024

Buildings

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Rapid urbanization across hot arid environments transforms local microclimates, yet linkages between density, layout, and outdoor thermal comfort remain inadequately characterized. This study investigates these correlations in the desert city of Biskra, Algeria. We conducted extensive in-situ measurement campaigns during peak summer and winter periods across six neighborhoods spanning low to high-rise density fabrics. We captured air temperature, humidity, and wind velocity to enable thermal comfort assessment via the Effective Temperature (ET) and Equivalent Temperature (TEK) stress indices. Index sensitivity to density metrics from 23–86% was explored through One-Variable-At-A-Time (OVAT) analysis. Results show marked summer comfort deterioration with rising density due to constrained ventilation. However, higher densities demonstrate superior winter warmth through wind blocking despite reduced sunlight exposure. Sharp nonlinear differences emerge between seasons. Precision density thresholds prove difficult to define conclusively given typological diversities. However, indicative ranges tied to hazards are identified, providing guidelines for informed climatic adaptation. This research delivers vital evidence to advance bioclimatic strategies for enhancing habitability amidst urban expansion across delicate hot deserts.

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Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This climate backdrop subjects Biskra residents to strong heat stress [27]. The region thus provides an analogue for outdoor human thermal comfort studies under temperature extremes and low humidity.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive Study on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Urban Environments through Microclimatic Analysis of Urban Density

Bacha,

Ahriz,

Alshenaifi

et al. 2024

Buildings

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“…In Baghdad, researchers are focusing on microclimate studies and green spaces to counter rising temperatures [54][55][56]. Recent Urban Heat Island (UHI) research and mitigation in Algeria have predominantly focused on arid and semi-arid climates due to their heightened susceptibility to UHI effects [57,58]. However, a notable shift has occurred in the past few years, with an increasing academic and practical interest in extending these efforts to Mediterranean climates [59,60].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Sayad,

Helmi,

Osra

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Cities are facing significant challenges related to climate change, particularly due to the increasing impact of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon. The present study investigated the UHI phenomenon at the microscale in Annaba, Algeria. The research involved a multi-step approach, starting with on-site measurements of urban microclimate parameters, performed in downtown Annaba on 6 July 2023. The UHI intensity was quantified by comparing city-measured temperatures with rural surroundings. Thermal imaging is then used to empirically identify the contributing factors to UHI initiation at the microscale. The study employed the ENVI-met model to analyse mitigation strategies, manipulating parameters for six scenarios including the current design of the study area. Outputs were used to assess the impact of these strategies on air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. The findings revealed an intense UHI effect in Annaba city with a peak difference of 6.9 °C, with practical implications for buildings, ground and roads, vehicles, air conditioners, and specific facade materials. Introducing urban vegetation, particularly urban trees and green roofs, proved highly effectiveness in mitigating the UHI in downtown Annaba. Urban trees demonstrated the most substantial impact, reducing temperatures by 1.9 °C at 1 p.m., while green roof temperature reductions ranged from 0.1 °C to 2 °C.

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Assessment of Urban Environmental Quality by Socioeconomic and Environmental Variables Using Open‐Source Datasets

Lingye,

Saleem,

Aslam

et al. 2024

Transactions in GIS

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In this era of rapid development, environmental quality is an essential aspect of sustainable development. A healthy urban environment supports, regulates, and provides livable conditions. In urban areas, environmental quality is considerably affected by socioeconomic factors such as population expansion and economic development. For decision‐making, it is also significant for stakeholders and policymakers to understand the impact of urban expansion on environmental quality. While previous studies have examined urban environmental quality, they often focused on single cities or limited environmental parameters. This research addresses these limitations by conducting a comparative analysis of two major Asian cities with similar demographic features, utilizing a comprehensive set of socioeconomic and environmental variables. Our innovative approach combines open‐source datasets with advanced remote sensing techniques to provide a more holistic assessment of urban environmental quality over two decades. We analyzed urban environmental quality for last two decades with the selected urban environmental quality parameters: surface greenness, surface moisture, and land surface temperature. Lahore (Pakistan) and Wuhan (China) cities were selected for having approximately same demographic features. Correlation matrix has been used to assess the relationship between these environmental variables and social‐economic variables: urban expansion and carbon emission. Correlation coefficient indicated that urban expansion correlates negatively with surface greenness and surface moisture for both Lahore (−0.67 and −0.71) and Wuhan District (−0.5 and −0.75), respectively, while it had a positive relation with land surface temperature: 0.65 and 0.57 for Lahore and Wuhan District, respectively. These effects are more prominent within 10 km distance from the city center, where a substantial urban expansion is observed during the time window.

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Assessing the influence of neighborhood urban form on outdoor thermal conditions in the hot dry city of Biskra, Algeria

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

A Comprehensive Study on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Urban Environments through Microclimatic Analysis of Urban Density

A Comprehensive Study on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Arid Urban Environments through Microclimatic Analysis of Urban Density

Microscale Investigation of Urban Heat Island (UHI) in Annaba City: Unveiling Factors and Mitigation Strategies

Assessment of Urban Environmental Quality by Socioeconomic and Environmental Variables Using Open‐Source Datasets

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