Edge Debate 86: Urban Form, Density & Microclimate

The Edge is a campaigning built-environment think tank and is multi-disciplinary in a landscape that is remarkable for the high number of single-discipline institutions it contains.

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<H2 CLASS="MsoNormal">How must planning & design change?</H2>
In September 2018 the refereed journal Building Research and Information (BRI) published a Special Issue, Urban Form, Density and Microclimate, guest edited by Rohinton Emmanuel and Koen Steemers. <A HREF="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rbri20/46/8" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rbri20/46/8</A>. This Edge event will use the BRI Special Issue as the basis for an in-depth examination of the relationship between urban built form and the microclimates of our streets and cities. It is part of an ongoing series of events and activities that investigate the challenges of increasing urban density on the wider built environment. 
Compact urban form is often argued for as a more sustainable approach, but this raises significant questions about the impacts and adverse consequences on local microclimates and what this means for energy demand, thermal comfort, air quality and health:
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What are the trade-offs between high density, compact cities and the energy intensity of buildings? 
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What are the implications for the practice of climate-sensitive urban design to create urban thermal comfort and air quality? 
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What further planning guidance and regulation are needed?
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Emerging research is currently revealing interactions and interdependencies between urban form and building design. Building geometries and height, together with street layout and vegetation, all impinge on shading and ventilation and lead to microclimate consequences.   
This debate will examine some of the interdependent outcomes /consequences that arise from modern demands on built form (e.g. increased density, higher floor area ratios and other economic drivers). How should local government, planners and professionals respond when modifying the existing urban fabric? For example:
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For built environment professionals - what can be done to better understand the consequences of built form on its surroundings?
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For planners - should neighbourhood-scale assessment of climate be part of the decision process? If so, what are appropriate metrics and principles to account for the impacts of built form?
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For government - what protection can be provided to improve air quality and the health impacts of streets and neighbourhoods?
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Introduction:    Richard Lorch, Editor of Building Research & Information 
Chair:                Professor Flora Samuel, University of Reading 
Speakers:         Professor Rohinton Emmanuel, Glasgow Caledonian University 
                          Professor Michael Hebbert, UCL 
                          Professor Sue Grimmond, University of Reading 
                          Professor Phil Steadman, UCL 
Respondees:    (tbc)
Timing:             Debate 5.30 (for 6.00) – 8.15 pm                           Drinks and networking - until 9.00 pm
This event is by invitation only. Please come and contribute to the discussion.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), London Campus

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Edge Debate 86: Urban Form, Density & Microclimate

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Edge Debate 86: Urban Form, Density & Microclimate

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