Developing a Thermal Comfort zone Chart for Different Climatic Zones of Ethiopia.
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Date
2020-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Thermal comfort is the state of mind that expresses satisfaction with the prevailing
environmental condition. The problem of urban environment located in extremely hot and
cold parts of Ethiopia is the thermal discomfort and become less suitable for living. This
results in a problem of health and high energy consumption for cooling and heating. This
study focuses on developing qualitative and quantitative thermal comfort charts for
different climate zones of Ethiopia. The data set of air temperature, wind speed, solar
radiation, humidity, and precipitation recorded for 30 consecutive years were used and had
been obtained from Global weather data for SWAT and EMA. Based on the environmental
variable analysis, Ethiopia is classified into six climate zones namely: - Hot-dry, Warm humid, Warm-dry, Temperate, Cool, and Cold. From the finding, more than 53.6 % of the
towns of Ethiopia clustered under temperate climate zones. The qualitative and
quantitative bioclimatic chart with main passive design strategies were developed for
representative cities. In all climate zones, mechanical cooling and heating are not required
if the passive design strategies adopted properly except in the harsh season of the hot dry
and cold region. The study used as a preliminary guide for climate responsive design and
MCUD can utilize it to ensure sustainability. As this study is regional and microclimate is
affected by different local factors, developing a similar bioclimatic chart is mandatory for
each town and city of Ethiopia
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Keywords
Bioclimate chart,, Urban Design,, regionalization,, Microclimate,, passive strategies.