Search

Urban morphology relates to the form, structure, physical characteristics, and arrangement of buildings affecting the urban microclimate. As the morphological characteristics vary across the city, small units such as urban blocks are analysed for microclimate estimation. However, microclimatic analysis of all the blocks in a city is computationally challenging and time-consuming. Therefore, it is vital to identify representative blocks in a city to obtain a general overview of the microclimate. Urban morphological archetypes are the representative units of a homogenous group of blocks based on morphological parameters. Here, we propose a systematic approach for identifying urban morphological archetypes suited for microclimatic analysis. Specifically, we employ a well-defined, PCA-based k-means clustering approach supported by validation using external criterion analysis. We use urban morphological parameters based on form, shape, arrangement, and variations within a block in Liege, Belgium. We use the cubic clustering criterion and pseudo F statistic to identify nine distinct homogenous clusters. Then, we propose a validation approach in the absence of existing typologies using ANOVA analysis on the external criterion of land surface temperature, a proxy for measuring microclimate. The validation suggests that the clusters are significantly different, indicating successful clustering. We also compare our classification to the existing local climate zone (LCZ) classification. We identify relevant sub-classes within the broader LCZ classes essential for capturing microclimatic variation. Finally, the study provides realistic archetypes for performing microclimatic simulations at a city scale. The proposed approach can be effectively applied to other cities for urban microclimate studies. • We propose systematic PCA-based k-means clustering approach to find urban archetypes. • Validation - ANOVA with land surface temperature in absence of existing typologies. • Our clusters are compared with WUDAPT's local climate zones (LCZs). • Our approach provides essential sub-classes to the existing LCZs. • We identify 9 urban morphological archetypes defining the morphology of Liege city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expected Global warming and heatwaves coupled with the urban heat island effect (UHI) can overheat indoor environments of free-floating buildings in temperate climate regions. Overheating assessment requires practitioners to use appropriate climate data and suitable measurement indices. The aim of this article is first, to propose a practical approach to generate yearly and typical ready-to-use future typical weather datasets (FTWY) using high-resolution Regional Climate Model (RCM) data from Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), and second, investigate the potential of FTWYs in the assessment of indoor overheating, considering UHI effect. To achieve these objectives, three dynamically downscaled (DDS) FTWYs generated from RCMs (IPSL-SMHI, CNRM-ALADIN, MPI-REMO) were compared with one statistically downscaled (ESD) FTWY from Meteonorm, and observed heatwave weather data of 2003. Comparative analysis was performed in two stages: comparison of monthly statistical distribution of climate variables, and analysis of heatwave presence. Urban weather generator (UWG) was used to project UHI effect on two weather files for two buildings, and three overheating measurement indices were used to exploit results. Comparative analysis of weather files show that temperature in a FTWY in the medium future (2040–2070) is likely not as intense as the heatwave of 2003 for Nantes. Results also confirm that it is better to use two weather files, and at least two overheating indices to obtain reliable outputs. This study also revealed that indoor overheating is not limited to densely built areas where impact of UHI is highest; buildings located in sparsely built neighbourhoods are also at risk. [Display omitted] • A practical workflow to construct yearly and typical weather files from EURO-CORDEX is presented. • Contrary to assumptions, medium future typical years are not as intense as 2003 heatwave year in Nantes. • Buildings located in sparsely built locations that are less affected by UHI are also at risk of overheating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]