Environmental Site Layout Planning : Solar Access, Microclimate and Passive Cooling in Urban Areas (BR 380)

Comprehensive design guidance on urban layout to ensure good access to solar gain, daylighting and passive cooling. It enables designers to produce comfortable, energy-efficient buildings surrounded by pleasant outdoor spaces in an urban context.

This book provides comprehensive design guidance on urban layout to ensure good access to solar gain, daylighting and passive cooling. It aims to enable designers to produce comfortable, energy-efficient buildings surrounded by pleasant outdoor spaces, within an urban context that minimizes energy consumption and the effects of pollution. The book is the principal output of a project jointly funded by the European Commission JOULE programme and national funding agencies including the UK Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The European project is coordinated by BRE and includes the University of Athens, LEMA (University of Liege) and AICIA (University of Seville). This book is divided into six main chapters. Chapter 1 sets the scene, outlining the importance of each of the main environmental factors affecting site layout. Chapters 2-6 then cover the urban design process, from the selection of a site for a new development down to the design and landscaping of individual buildings and the spaces around them.