This course provides an introduction to the key features of urban climates. Initially, we will define what constitutes an urban ecosystem, discuss the categorization of urban surfaces and geometries, and delve into the time and space dimensions relevant to climate processes in urban settings. Subsequently, we will elucidate the fundamental principles governing the formation of unique urban climates, focusing on the urban boundary layer, the airflow around structures, the surface energy balance, the urban heat island effect, and air quality. Finally, we will illustrate how this understanding can be utilized to contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable and resilient cities capable of adapting to climate change.

None

• The urban ecosystem, urban units and urban surfaces, defining the urban climate. (1 hour) • Air flow in urban areas: basics of wind and turbulence, the atmospheric boundary layer, Monin-Obukhov theory, airflow in streets and street intersections. (1 hours). • The energy balance: radiative terms, turbulent heat fluxes, heat storage, anthropogenic heat, the urban heat island. (1 hours). • Urban air pollution: dispersion and transport of pollutants in the urban environment, removal and transformation, scales of air pollution, modelling urban air pollution. (1 hour). • Green solutions for the adaptation of cities to climate change: cities and climate change, green solutions for the adaptation to extreme temperature, the effect of vegetation on air quality in urban areas. (2 hours) • Effect of vegetation on the energy balance at a building roof. We will write a numerical code to explore the effect of building material and evaporative properties on the energy balance inside a roof subjected to a diurnal cycle. We will analyse the different behaviour of conventional, cool and green roofs. (4 hours).

In presenza

Sviluppo di project work in team

P.D.2-2 - Settembre