This study investigated which social housing buildings for elderly are located in heat-prone areas and selected three buildings suffering from extreme heat stress. Afterwards, the microclimates of these cases were simulated with the use of ENVI-met. The microclimate analysis investigated the heat stress and which different climatic elements (air temperature, radiation, humidity and wind) was most influential in the high heat stress. In the third part of this research interventions were explored based on literature, of which interventions were selected based on the probable main cause of the heat stress. The chosen interventions were assessed based on their efficiency through simulations and their suitability through interviews with several housing corporations.
The findings of this study contributed to finding practical implications for urban decision-makers for interventions in heat stress mitigation. The results suggest that many outdoor spaces social housing buildings suffer from heat stress. The probable causes of the heat stress differ; however, one common cause was a decreased wind speed.
The results imply that single interventions are insufficient in decreasing heat stress. Further research could be done to investigate combinations of multiple interventions. Also, the application of temporary interventions for heat stress mitigation and strategic placement of interventions should be further investigated.
Author: Ilse Ellenbroek