Exploring the effects of height and form of residential places on creating thermal comfort of collective outdoor spaces (Case study: Residential complexes of Shiraz)

Thermal comfort of environment is one of the most crucial factors that influence the health and well-being of residents of cities. Thermal comfort itself is affected by a combination of the effects of different parameters and the form of urban blocks affects greatly the amount of radiation, the patterns of flow, and wind speed. This study assesses the effect of the form and height of residential blocks on the thermal comfort of open spaces. This quantitative study uses the descriptive and inferential survey methods, and applied random and controlled probability sampling to select the sample size. Four residential blocks of Shiraz having common patterns of short-level, medium-level and high-level were selected and simulated. The results of the simulation were analyzed and assessed using ENVI-met software in 2020. Then, using climatic data in RayMan software, the physiological equivalent temperature was obtained. Then, in five points of the simulated models, the ratio of form and height were analyzed. Using SPSS22, descriptive and inferential statistics were presented, and using Friedman test, the critical points were classified according to the forms of above-mentioned heights. Then, the significance and relevance between the different form types (complex, set, linear, and peripheral) in terms of different height types (high, medium, and short) were examined using Kruskal–Wallis test. The results showed that there is a significant between different form types and height types and this relationship has had a more favorable result in intermediate buildings of complex and environmental forms. Finally, the study showed that both form and height have a significant relationship with the effective parameters in the outdoor thermal comfort of residential complexes. The factors play an important role in moderating the temperature and providing the possibility of better productivity for residents.