Pedestrian thermal perception: studies around two high-rise buildings in the Mediterranean climate

High-rise buildings affect the microclimate around them at ground level and, as a result, also affect the pedestrian activities that take place there. The implications of this statement are especially amplified by the increasing numbers of high-rise buildings within the urban environment. This paper focuses on the urban microclimate in the vicinity of two high-rise buildings, with a focus on urban thermal comfort and wind patterns at pedestrian level relative to building height. The studies take place in the Mediterranean climate of Tel Aviv. The methodology includes collecting and combining various data, e.g. microclimatic monitoring, spot measurements, meteorological stations data, and surveys performed by administering questionnaires. Results showed that enhanced wind velocity is perceived as positive in summer, but unpleasant in winter, for the specific climatic conditions. The case study emphasizes the importance of microclimatic studies as part of high-rise building design, and the inclusion of design guidelines at the pedestrian level of high-rise buildings. In this process, the evaluation of outdoor human comfort perception through field surveys is highlighted.