A parametric optimisation study of urban geometry design to assess outdoor thermal comfort

Over the last two decades, urban geometry has been shown to be a key determinant of microclimatic conditions in areas. This study uses Ladybug-tools, plugins Grasshopper3D optimise building heights, street widths and orientation maximise outdoor thermal comfort, represented by diurnal average Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). In hot-arid climate Cairo, Egypt, optimised parameters symmetrical asymmetrical canyons are compared with Egyptian Construction Act's design regulations. The results show strong negative correlation between height-to-width (H/W) ratios output UTCI, R² = 0.71, much stronger (R² 0.91) if east-west orientations excluded from results, exceeding correlations previously reported for Cairo. Maximum UTCI reductions due changing H/W approach ?6°C. Considerable variation is strength ratio each flank, 0.81 Southeast side 0.4 Northwest side. Design recommendations given planners based on using that at least achieve reduction benchmark exceeds those resulting regulations’ thresholds.