Climate and urban design - the rewards!

• the full potential for using solar energy is realised;
• air drainage patterns carry pollutants away from residential areas;
• city-dwellers enjoy improved levels of climatic comfort; and
• the site of a new town is chosen to lessen danger from natural hazards.

Designing with the climate.

• In a hot dry climate, sun protection is essential (we need shade, and pale surfaces to reflect the sun's radiation). Glare and reflected heat from these pale surfaces can be reduced by shading from eaves, verandahs and from vegetation. Trees are Nature's own evaporative coolers - perfect for the dry climate, if water supply permits. Trees will also filter blowing dust from the air.

• In a warm humid climate, we need air movement to keep us comfortable. Streets and buildings are oriented to catch the breezes. A mix of building heights promotes ventilation. Vegetation must not impede air movement: trees with branches far from the ground, such as palms, would be ideal. Rainfall may be heavy, so permeable surfaces are needed, to reduce urban stormwater runoff.

• What to do when summer is too hot and winter is too cold?
  In a temperate climate, the wind direction usually changes with the season. It may be possible to choose a street layout which will block the winter wind, yet allow cooling summer breezes through the city. As an example, have a look at a suggested street layout modelled on Coolangatta.
  
  
  
  
• In cooler parts of the temperate zone, or on exposed sites, we need maximum wind protection (tree shelter belts, closely spaced buildings of constant height, main streets perpendicular to the prevailing wind).

Have a look at a map showing where these climate zones occur.

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