Geography and Urban Research

Assessing the impact of urban form on outdoor thermal comfort: Case Study of Tabriz City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sepideh Pouri 1
Paria Saadatjoo 2

1 a. Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 b. Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2051761.1011
Abstract
Over the past decade, the development of theories surrounding sustainable cities, ecological cities, ecosystems, smart cities, and green cities has seen a growing emphasis from urban designers and planners on fostering harmony between urban design and nature. Increasingly, these professionals have prioritized environmental sustainability, addressing pressing climate challenges, and integrating ecological principles into urban planning practices. This focus reflects a broader commitment to creating resilient urban environments that not only adapt to but also mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change while promoting sustainable living. This study examines the urban microclimate characteristics that influence typical urban residential neighborhoods through urban planning and design. Different urban block forms provide different microclimates with varied comfort levels for citizens. In this study, outdoor thermal comfort is compared during the winter season (December 20) for three common residential blocks (courtyard, linear and single) in Tabriz city. For this purpose, ENVI-met software is used to simulate air temperature, predicted mean vote (PMV), wind speed, and relative humidity to determine which of these common blocks are suitable for Tabriz's cold climate. The main objective of the study is to clarify the impact of block form on the outdoor thermal comfort of dwellings in Tabriz. In this study, a constant building density is used to investigate the effects of different urban shapes on thermal comfort. The results demonstrate that in winter, the courtyard and singular models have a more substantial impact on people's outdoor thermal comfort. The simulation of the linear model shows that it is unsuitable for this region and cannot provide thermal comfort for dwellings in the cold seasons.

Keywords

Urban block form
Outdoor thermal comfort
ENVI-met
Tabriz city
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Geography and Urban Research
Volume 2, Issue 1
Spring 2025
Pages 34-47

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