Climatic Sensitive Landscape Design: Enhancing the Microclimate of

Public Schools Courtyard in Egypt

Wesam M. El-Bardisy
Msc.
Integrated Urbanism & Sustainable Design (IUSD)
Teaching Assistant, Urban Planning &
Design Department, Ainshams University
March 2015
Abstract
The climatic quality of the outdoor spaces, recently, receives attention among
climatologist and urban designers worldwide. By integrating site planning and design,
a local microclimate can be created that enhances the manipulation of users for the
outdoor space. In this research, the microclimatic effects of plantation and its patterns
were investigated on the students comfort level at El-Sherouk public school Cairo,
Egypt. Different plantation patterns were proposed and simulated via ENVI-met
software under the same metrological and personal conditions. These patterns vary in
type: trees, shrubs, and ground cover, clustering, and location. The simulation results
revealed that trees among plantation significantly attenuate the courtyard
microclimate resulted in lower Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) records at receptor points.
The tree canopy is the major component that attenuates solar radiation and control
wind pattern regardless its location. It's effect vary according to its spatial location
and its setting, terrestrial radiation of pavements, external climatic conditions, and the
characteristics of the trees.
Keywords: Public schools, Climatic Sensitive Landscape Design, ENVI-met software,
trees, PMV, Courtyards.