Urban Smart Shading Devices based on Traditional Gulf Design. Case study located in a district of a hot-arid climate city (Abu Dhabi).

摘要

In a city with hot arid weather such as Abu Dhabi, creating outdoor shading is a main concern. This not only a strategy to improve the outdoor comfort but also a very efficient solution to mitigate the urban heat island effect. In previous studies, we analyzed the extensive deployment of shading devices in 5 different districts in the main island of Abu Dhabi.udIn the present study, our aim is to show how innovation and tradition can be merged. Innovation is all encompassing concept but in our case the basis of innovation is its tradition. In the past, the Gulf countries built cities with narrow streets covering some of them partially. The Mashrabiya is a well-known concept used in the traditional architecture. If an innovative intervention is made in an urban context it has to be connected to the culture of the city and its roots.udA system of smart shading devices based on traditional geometric design is a sustainable solution and also contributes to the education of younger generations. The proposed smart shading devices are made of tent with Photovoltaic (PV) cells integrated in it. This choice stems from the flexibility in shape that such a material can offer. We will establish a comparison between current commercially materials and our solution in terms of efficiency and life-cycle energy/cost. The market offers mainly tent made of PTFE with steel structure. A random design used in specific parking lots and small parks areas downtown Abu Dhabi. In this paper we bring alternative solutions in terms of efficiency and flexibility and also describe the different design options that we tested and how the optimal design was selected.