Evaluating Street Orientation for Pedestrian Thermal Comfort the Case of Metehara Town
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Date
2025-04-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Urban design plays essential role in designing pedestrian thermal comfort, especially in regions going through high temperatures. This research investigates the evaluation of street orientation on pedestrian thermal comfort in Metehara Town, Oromia, Ethiopia, through a systematic examination of climatic variables and urban geometry during the hottest months of the year April, May and June of the town. The study utilizes a combined methodology integrating field measurements of air temperature and relative humidity alongside wind speed and solar radiation analysis collected from global weather datasets. Additionally, the study integrates thermal indices of mean radiant temperature and universal thermal climate index to evaluate outdoor thermal conditions extensively. A pedestrian survey obtaining thermal sensation, comfort perception, and meteorological preferences is carried out to verify subjective experiences. The study employs bioclimatic chart, shadow length and sky view factor analyses to examine optimal street configurations. Findings involve that street orientation effectively influences thermal exposure with north-south, east-west and northeast-southwest and northwest-southeast streets exhibit different microclimatic characteristics. In addition, the importance of integrating climate responsive urban design strategies such as vegetation coverage, reflective surfaces and optimized urban geometry to enhance pedestrian thermal comfort. This study provides a framework for urban planners and policymakers to formulate street design strategies that prioritize pedestrian’s thermal comfort supporting to sustainable urban development in arid and semi-arid climates.
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Keywords
Thermal comfort, street orientation, urban design, pedestrian comfort, shadow length and Metehara town