Influence of Urban Morphology on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Summer: A Study in Tunis, Tunisia

Safa Achour Younsi1, and Fakher Kharrat2

1. Higher Institute of Multimedia Arts of Manouba, University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia

2. National School of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: Classified as a subtropical Mediterranean climate city, the city of Tunis, Tunisia, knows a hot and dry summer seasons over a long period of the year. This study focuses on the influence of urban geometry on the summer outdoor thermal comfort by comparing the morphological characteristics of the streets, especially the ratio Height-to-Width H/W and the Sky View Factor SVF. A numerical simulation of the urban microclimate has enabled us to obtain the climate parameters required for the evaluation of outdoor thermal comfort through the Universal Thermal climate Index UTCI. The results showed that the fight against overheating summer seasons of a subtropical Mediterranean climate, deep and narrow streets were best for outdoor thermal comfort.

Key words: outdoor thermal comfort, urban morphology, universal thermal climate index, urban planning, environmental sustainability