An assessment of different courtyard configurations in urban communities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Purpose

This paper aims to find ways to optimise the thermal performance of this courtyard design in current urban communities in hot arid regions.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study for this research is the Dubai sustainable city residential cluster. After collecting weather data from a site visit, four courtyard configurations were suggested and assessed using ENVI-met simulation analysis software to build a virtual model to represent the base case. This model is used to evaluate the thermal behaviour of outdoor urban spaces. The four courtyard layout scenarios were suggested and tested against the base case model. Scenario one is u-shaped, scenario two is linear, scenario three has central buildings with square courtyards and finally, scenario four has u-shaped buildings with square courtyards.

Findings

All the courtyard scenarios achieved an adequate level of user satisfaction, and the wind speed and distribution affected the relative humidity of the outdoor areas. The main findings indicate that courtyard scenario four provided the best microclimatic behaviour within the urban community, as the relative humidity dropped from 56.27% to 48% and the temperature was reduced from 43.03 °C to 41.03 °C.

Research limitations/implications

The study was focused on Dubai and on urban levels, but the findings can be generalized to cover most of courtiers that have similar climatic and environmental contexts.

Practical implications

Architects and urban planners will recognize the potential to reduce energy due to natural ventilation and lower solar radiation.

Social implications

If the findings be applied, this will lead to energy reduction as well as building foot print reduction.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by comprehensively reviewing the concept of courtyards in hot climate and in a region of shortage of studies conducted. It will draw future recommendations of how and where to design courtyards within urban communities.