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Automating Microclimate Evaluation and Optimization during Urban Design: A Rhino–Grasshopper Workflow

Author

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  • Komi Bernard Bedra

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Hunan City University, Yiyang 413000, China)

  • Jian Zheng

    (School of Architecture, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Jiayu Li

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Zhaoqian Sun

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

  • Bohong Zheng

    (School of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China)

Abstract

Though building-scale energy demand and indoor thermal comfort have been extensively covered by recent studies, the automation of middle- and larger-scale outdoor microclimate evaluation in parametric design is less covered. The relatively slow computation and the need for sophisticated expertise are some of the current issues. This paper proposes a Rhino–Grasshopper custom script to automatically compute spatial indicators for a quick thermal comfort estimation. The Galapagos evolutionary algorithm is used to optimize thermal comfort and select the best combinations of spatial indicators. In a summer case study located in Shantou, China, the proposed workflow was three times faster than a non-automated indicator calculation in ArcGIS, while the optimization method achieved 25% to 33% reduction in land areas under extreme heat stress. This automated process applies to existing states and new urban designs. It is adaptable to customized prediction models under different climatic zones.

Suggested Citation

  • Komi Bernard Bedra & Jian Zheng & Jiayu Li & Zhaoqian Sun & Bohong Zheng, 2023. "Automating Microclimate Evaluation and Optimization during Urban Design: A Rhino–Grasshopper Workflow," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-26, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:24:p:16613-:d:1295187
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. George M. Stavrakakis & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Markos Damasiotis, 2021. "Basic Principles, Most Common Computational Tools, and Capabilities for Building Energy and Urban Microclimate Simulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-41, October.
    2. Li, Xiaoma & Zhou, Yuyu & Yu, Sha & Jia, Gensuo & Li, Huidong & Li, Wenliang, 2019. "Urban heat island impacts on building energy consumption: A review of approaches and findings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 407-419.
    3. Natanian, Jonathan & Aleksandrowicz, Or & Auer, Thomas, 2019. "A parametric approach to optimizing urban form, energy balance and environmental quality: The case of Mediterranean districts," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
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