1. Impacts of urban design aspects on
urban microclimate and on the
built environment
Prof. Dr. Eduardo L. Krüger
Graduate Program in Technology/ Master’s Program in Civil Engineering
Department of Civil Construction
Federal Technological University of Paraná, Curitiba Brazil
ekruger@utfpr.edu.br
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

2. Outline
• Principles and rationale
• Sample studies
– Curitiba, Brazil (since 1999)
– Israel (2005-2006)
– UK (2010-2011)
• Current projects
• Conclusions - topics for discussion
• Future perspectives
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

3. Context
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

4. Context
• Why this all matters?
– Urbanisation trends, shrinking cities
– Resilient buildings (climate change, UHI effects)
– Energy simulation studies (“real” input data, input data
accounting for UHI effects)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

5. Context
• Indoors (built spaces)
– Bioclimatic Zoning
– Building Performance Standards
– Energy Efficiency Rating Systems (LEED, Green Building codes etc)
• Outdoors
– Municipalities, local agenda
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

6. Outdoor “Comfort”
• Urban form and comfort / life quality – effects on
microclimate; daylighting availability at pedestrian level
and in the indoor space; air quality issues; urban noise;
accessibility ...
• Relevant cause & effect factors
– Morphology and wind profiles
– Shape, orientation, thermal mass (storage), water bodies, albedo
and microclimate
– Vegetation, evapotranspiration and microclimate
– Shape, orientation and shadowing/mutual shadowing effects
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

7. Relevant factors
Urban form and wind in urban settings
Effects of urban form
on air flow
ROSSI (2004 )
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

8. Relevant factors
Thermal impacts of urban morphology
OKE, 1978
Relevant factors
Urban form and urban microclimate
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

9. Relevant factors
Urban form and implications on overshadowing
Acoma Pueblo , New Mexico, looking northeast. Terraces, windows
and doors face southward to capture the winter sun. (Drawing by Gary
S. Shigemura in Energy and Form by Ralph L. Knowles.) More contemporary “solutions” for the
problem of buildings casting shadows on others
(detail shadow)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

10. Relevant factors
Urban form and pollutant dispersion
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

11. Urban form parameters
H/W = 0.33
H/W = 0.66
H/W = 1
H/W = 2
Height to Width Factor
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

12. SVF = 23%
SVF = 46%
Sky View Factor - SVF
Urban form parameters
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

13. Research Methods
 Field measurements and surveys (street user’s thermal
perception)
 Physical modelling
 Simulation studies
 Establishing linkages between urban form and observed
effects (outdoors and indoors)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

14. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
(since 1999)
Research carried out in Israel
Post-doc (CAPES) (2005-2006)
Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) (2010-2011)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

15. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Field measurements for heat mapping
 Thermal perception surveys with pedestrians
 Simulation studies (daylighting – solar envelope)
 Simulation studies (pollutants dispersion/microclimate)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

16. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Field measurements for heat mapping (Rossi 2004)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

17. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Thermal perception surveys with pedestrians (Minella
2009; Rossi 2012) CNPq funded 2008-2010
Comfort questionnaire (based on ISO 10551)
Date: …………
Time: …………
Part 1: background and personal information
Gender (circle it): Male
Female
Age: …………
Weight: ………… Height: …………
Time of residency (Glasgow or UK, circle it):
less than 6 months
more than 6 months
Time spent outdoors (minutes): …………
Part 2: current clothing garments (clothing ensembles
as in ISO 9920) refer to Table Annex A
Part 3: How do you feel at this precise moment?
(-3) cold
(-2) cool
(-1) slightly cool
(0) neutral
(+1) slightly warm
(+2) warm
(+3) hot
Part 4: Please state how you would prefer to be now:
(+3) much warmer
(+2) warmer
(+1) a little warmer
(0) neither warmer nor cooler
(-1) a little cooler
(-2) cooler
(-3) much cooler
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

18. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Thermal perception surveys with pedestrians (Minella
2009; Rossi 2012) CNPq funded 2008-2010 - RESULTS
Data
Over 2000 surveys (approx. 1650 valid
votes)
Different seasons (Jan-Aug 2009)
15 urban situations
SVF ranging 0.2-0.55
Resulting studies
Applicability of comfort indices:
Comparisons between actual thermal
sensation versus selected comfort indices
(including UTCI)
Diurnal effect of SVF on outdoor comfort,
Ta and Tmrt
Ventilation profiles and air quality
(simulations with ENVI-met, from
calibrated model)
y = 52.992x - 7.088
R
2
= 0.57
0,0
5,0
10,0
15,0
20,0
25,0
0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6
SVF
ΔMRT-T(°C)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

19. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Simulation studies (daylighting) (Suga 2005)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

20. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Simulation studies (daylighting) (Suga 2005)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

21. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Simulation studies (solar envelope) (Tamura 2010)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

22. Research carried out in Curitiba, Brazil
 Simulation studies (pollutants dispersion) (Rasia 2011)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

23. Research carried out in Sede Boqer, Israel
Post-doctorate (CAPES) at Ben-Gurion University of
the Negev (2005-2006)
 Physical modelling with OASUS
 Simulation studies of impacts in the built environment
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

24. Research carried out in Sede Boqer, Israel
Post-doctorate (CAPES) at Ben-Gurion University of
the Negev (2005-2006)
 Physical modelling with OASUS (D. Pearlmutter)
OASUS Open-Air Scaled Urban Surface
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

25. Research carried out in Sede Boqer, Israel
Post-doctorate (CAPES) at Ben-Gurion University of
the Negev (2005-2006)
 Physical modelling with OASUS (D. Pearlmutter)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

26. Research carried out in Sede Boqer, Israel
Post-doctorate (CAPES) at Ben-Gurion University of
the Negev (2005-2006)
 Simulation studies of impacts in the built environment
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

27. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Urban Heat Island – Heat Mapping
 Thermal perception surveys with pedestrians
 Simulation studies (microclimate)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

28. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Urban Heat Island – Inter-urban temperature differences
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

29. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Urban Heat Island – Intra-urban temperature differences
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

30. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Urban Heat Island – Results
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
00:00
01:00
02:00
03:00
04:00
05:00
06:00
07:00
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
19:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
23:00
TemperatureindegC
Delta T T urban T rural
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

31. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Thermal perception surveys with pedestrians
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

32. Research carried out in Glasgow, UK
Visiting researcher (CAPES) at Glasgow Caledonian
University (2010-2011)
 Simulation studies (microclimate)
Buchanan Street
Nile Street
Bath Street
X (m)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190
Y(m)
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
95
105
115
125
135
145
155
165
175
185
195
205
215
<Left foot>
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

33. CURRENT PROJECTS
 MSc student 1: analysis of albedo modification under
subtropical conditions (effect on microclimate and on
indoor thermal conditions/HVAC use in commercial
buildings) – simulation study
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

34.  PhD student 1: simulation studies on urban microclimate
with a focus on the use of vegetation and urban parks
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger
CURRENT PROJECTS

35.  Simulation studies (microclimate) (Minella –ongoing)
Procedure adopted for the SOVALP Project in Geneva, Switzerland
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger
CURRENT PROJECTS

36.  PhD student 2: analysis of the impact of densification and
human health aspects
 Lack of daylight
 Hormone production
– The PhD student will analyze the impact of solar exposure on health
conditions (hormone levels) of dwellers living in high rise buildings
and by doing so study the influence of aspect ratios and street axis
orientation on overall health conditions in residential buildings. This
will be carried out firstly in Curitiba, Brazil, by means of field
observations (data loggers, actimeters, collection of saliva samples –
Salivette® kits). A follow-up study and the data analysis could be
carried out at Kent State University.
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger
CURRENT PROJECTS

37. CONCLUSIONS - TOPICS FOR
DISCUSSION
 Field measurements and surveys (street user’s thermal
perception) as an aid to UHI analyses and as relevant
database for calibrating and verifying existing comfort
indices
 Physical modelling : applicable under certain conditions
 Simulation studies : important tool for checking
daylighting potentials and solar
accessibibility, somewhat limited yet with regard to
urban microclimate modelling
 Need for Establishing linkages between urban form and
observed effects!!!
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

38. CONCLUSIONS - TOPICS FOR
DISCUSSION
 How to incorporate findings in master plans and urban
design guidelines? How to promote a broader
involvement of researchers in urban planning initiatives?
 What possible lessons could be learnt from vernacular
and/or innovative experiences in climate responsive
urban design?
 What consequences can be expected in indoor spaces
from urban modifications (with implications on indoor
thermal, lighting, air quality aspects and HVAC in
buildings)?
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

39. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger
RESEARCH:
 Start/maintain research collaborations (Germany, UK, Brazil, US)
 Start collaborative work with researchers at Kent State
 Energy, Sustainability and the Environment research group
 Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC)
(Possible research initiatives)
 OPV integration in cities
 Climate change research
 Urban ecology/urban climatology
 Solar passive systems
(community participation)
 Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC)
TEACHING:
 Promote students’ involvement at Kent State (active learning, design studios, supervisions)
– undergraduate and graduate students
 Search for funding possibilities (State of Ohio’s Third Frontier Program, Humboldt
Foundation, Brazilian “Science without Borders” program with students’ exchange and
research fellowships)

40. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
(ongoing publications)
Journal papers in ellaboration:
• Johansson E, Emmanuel R, Thorsson S, Krüger EL. Instruments and methods in
outdoor thermal comfort studies. The need for standardization. (invited paper for
‘Urban Climate’ journal)
• Krüger EL, Matzarakis A, Minella FO, Emmanuel R. Analysis of different input data
for assessing mean radiant temperature as relevant human-biometeorological
factor in thermal comfort issues. (to be submitted to Theoretical and Applied
Climatology)
• Krüger EL, Fritoli CL. Analysis of paper decay rates in libraries under subtropical
conditions. (to be submitted to Building and Environment)
• Krüger EL, Suzuki EV, Rossi FA. Atmospheric stability effects on Urban Heat Island
in a Subtropical location. (to be submitted to Theoretical and Applied
Climatology)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

41. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
(ongoing publications)
Conference papers in ellaboration (for PLEA 2013 – 29th Conference, Sustainable
Architecture for a Renewable Future, Munich, Germany 10-12 September 2013)
• Krüger EL, Broede P. ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL URBAN
MORPHOLOGY AND PREDICTED THERMAL PERCEPTION USING THE UNIVERSAL
THERMAL CLIMATE INDEX UTCI.
• Krüger EL, Matzarakis A, Minella FO, Emmanuel R. ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT METHODS
TO ASSESS THE MEAN RADIANT TEMPERATURE IN RAYMAN.
• Krüger EL, Suzuki EV. ANALYZING THE OUTPUT OF A TROMBE WALL SYSTEM IN
SUBTROPICAL LOCATIONS.
• Krüger EL, Fritoli CL. ANALYSIS OF PAPER DECAY RATES IN A SUBTROPICAL LOCATION.
• Minella FO, Krüger EL. USING COMPUTER SIMULATIONS FOR ASSESSING
MICROCLIMATIC IMPACTS OF URBAN INTERVENTIONS.
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger

42. List of Publications
(related to this presentation)
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger
Journal papers (peer-reviewed)
Bröde P, Krüger EL, Dusan F.”UTCI in practical application to the assessment of urban outdoor thermal comfort.” Geographia Polonica (in press).
Krüger EL, Drach P, Emmanuel R, Corbella, O. 2012 “Assessment of daytime outdoor comfort levels in and outside the urban area of Glasgow, UK”. International
Journal of Biometeorology, DOI: 10.1007/s00484-012-0578-y (online version, in press).
Krüger EL, Drach P, Emmanuel R, Corbella, O. 2012 “Urban heat island and differences in outdoor comfort levels in Glasgow, UK”. Theoretical and Applied
Climatology, DOI: 10.1007/s00704-012-0724-9 (online version, in press).
Emmanuel R, Krüger EL. 2012 “Urban heat island and its impact on climate change resilience in a shrinking city: The case of Glasgow, UK”. Building and Environment,
v. 53, p. 137-149.
Krüger, EL, Rossi FA. 2011 “Effect of personal and microclimatic variables on observed thermal sensation from a field study in southern Brazil”. Building and
Environment , v. 46, p. 690-697.
Bröde P, Krüger EL, Rossi FA, Dusan F. 2012 “Predicting urban outdoor thermal comfort by the Universal Thermal Climate Index UTCI a case study in Southern Brazil”.
International Journal of Biometeorology: Volume 56, Issue 3 (2012), Page 471-480.
Krüger EL, Minella FO, Rasia F, 2010 “Impact of urban geometry on outdoor thermal comfort and air quality from field measurements in Curitiba, Brazil” . Building
and Environment 46 (3): 621-634.
Krüger EL, Pearlmutter D, Rasia F, 2009 “Evaluating the Impact of Canyon Geometry and Orientation on Cooling Loads in a High-Mass Building in a Hot Dry
Environment”, Applied Energy, 87(6): 2068-2078.
Krüger EL, Suga M, 2009 “Thermal and daylighting evaluation of the effect of varying aspect ratios in urban canyons in Curitiba, Brazil”, Journal of Renewable and
Sustainable Energy 1, 033108 (2009); doi:10.1063/1.3153900.
Suga M, Krüger EL 2009 “Recommendations of Height Restrictions for Urban Canyons in Curitiba, Brazil” Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering 8: 1-
6.
Pearlmutter D, Krüger EL, Berliner P, 2009 “The role of evaporation in the energy balance of an open-air scaled urban surface”, International Journal of Climatology
29(6): 911-920.
Krüger EL, Pearlmutter D, 2008 “The effect of urban evaporation on building energy demand in an arid environment”, Energy and Buildings 40(11): 2090-2098.
Krüger EL, Givoni B, 2008 “Thermal monitoring and indoor temperature predictions in a passive solar building in an arid environment” Building and Environment
43(11): 1792-1804.
Krüger EL, 2007 “Local air temperature data, predicted energy consumption, and land use patterns” Clean Air Journal 8: 109-123.,
DOI: 10.1615/InterJEnerCleanEnv.v8.i2.20.
Krüger EL, Givoni B, 2007 “Outdoor measurements and temperature comparisons of seven monitoring stations” Building and Environment 42(4): 1685-1698.

43. Thanks for listening!
ekruger@utfpr.edu.br
Kent State University College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Eduardo L. Krüger