Towards_Sustainable_Neighborhood_Design

1. Expanding or reconstructing an existing school,
2. Constructing a new school at an off-site location, or
3. Constructing a new school on-site, incorporated into a redevelopment project with an

urban form.
 Community-oriented facilities – such as an adult education center, preschool child

development center, or district energy system, could be explored.
 Polling Places – County polling places are venues at which voters may cast their vote on

election days. As of 2009, Crystal city include 2 polling, the potential need for additional
polling places should be monitored in the future.
 Community Center/Learning Center/Civic Center – A place(s) with a number of
venues and programs that enrich an active civic lifestyle. It could include meeting rooms,
classrooms, lecture halls, a library/technology/media center, and/or supporting retail such
as a bookstore and cafe, and relevant programming based on population interests and
needs.

5.1.4 Mobility systems:

5.1.4.1 Roads Network

The master plan proposes a number of

improvements to the street network within

the Crystal City planning area. The

examination of the existing street network

shows a number of problems. The current

street network is dominated by the three

principal north-south streets. Streets are

currently separate and disjointed, and limit

overall circulation. One-way streets occur

with unnecessary frequency and obstruct

efficient circulation.

The proposed master plan focuses on

creating complete streets, which have the

necessary configuration, connectivity, and

capacity to accommodate multiple modes

of traffic movement. It proposes changes

in existing traffic patterns. One-way streets

can limit circulation options, inhibit way

finding, promote speeding, and deprive Figure 5-15: Street Network comparison between the existing
streets of necessary vitality.
and proposed conditions, Source: (Arlington, 2010)

The plan proposes the elimination of

one-way traffic flow wherever possible, to be replaced with two-way streets. Figure (5-15)

shows the difference between the existing street network (left side) and what is proposed in

the plan (Right side).

Figure (5-16) illustrates the proposed street typology. The plan defines street widths and

capacities have been designed to carry forecasted traffic loads. The proposed street should

serve as a primary guide for the rebalancing, redesigning, and rebuilding of Crystal City’s

streets to become complete streets that provide for all modes of travel as well as serve the
adjacent land uses. Street type classifications address whether a street is arterial or local,
identify the general land use character of the frontage, and provide general guidelines on
modes, dimensions, and other design characteristics.

5.1.4.2 Walkable Environment

At Neighborhood scale, walk trips represent a
greater proportion of all trips made. The pedestrian
and bicycle networks should be interconnected,
consistent, and safe. Sidewalks should be provided on
both sides of every street. Crossings must be highly
visible and provide adequate time for safe pedestrian
passage.

Crystal City has an existing sidewalk and
bikeways network, and is well-served by the regional
bikeway and trails network. The Plan supports transit,
bicycle and pedestrian-friendly improvements within
Crystal City and connections between Crystal City
and adjacent neighborhoods in all directions. It
concerns with improving the safety and quality of
pedestrian travel by providing elements such as
sufficient sidewalk, clear zones, adequate space for
street trees and landscape elements, and reduced
pedestrian crossing distances. Maps in figure (5-17)
indicate the recommended network of pedestrian and
bicycle facilities throughout Crystal City.

The process of developing a bicycle-sharing
program is developed to replace car trips with bicycle
trips and increase the reach of transit by providing a
reliable and convenient means to get to and from
distant destinations. It is proposed for the first rollout
of nearly 100 bicycles as initial plans to be located in
Crystal City and Pentagon City, among bicycle
stations located at Metrorail stations, near
connections to regional trails, and adjacent to other
activity nodes. The process allows customers to
checkout and returns a bicycle by using their mobile
phone. It also provides them to receive a random lock
access and return code. Customers would pay an
annual fee to subscribe to the program. The first half
hour of rental would be free and a fee would be
charged for further use.

Figure 5-16: Street Network and Typology map,
Source: (Arlington, 2010)

Figure 5-17: Walkability and Transit modes illustr

rative maps in Crystal City, Source: (Arlington, 2010)

5.1.4.3 Transportation
The current situation has easy access to multiple modes of public transit. The Metro

Station provides an easy connection to the greater region and Metro bus service is provided
.The availability of transit options in 2007 allowed for an observed modal split of
approximately 40% transit to 60% auto use.

The future transportation network is proposed as a system of streets, transit services,
bikeways, trails, and sidewalks that currently exist and will be redeveloped and added. The
addition of a dedicated surface transit way to Crystal City’s existing system of transportation
options is a critical public infrastructure component of the plan. Figure (5-17) also illustrates
the proposed surface transit way. The proposed transit way’s energy needs should be
integrated with the recommended district energy scale project feasibility study.

The creation of a multi-modal transportation facility at this location as proposed in the
master plan would raise the visibility of public transportation options available in Crystal
City, and improve the functionality and ease of use. This facility would unite and coordinate
access among Metrorail, the surface transit way, bus, VRE, and ride-sharing within a single
facility. See figure (5-18).

Figure 5-18: Multi-Modal Transfer Facility, Source: (Arlington, 2010)

5.1.4.4 Roads types and their design
As a result of the mobility system design procedures, the street morphology, design and

sections could be illustrated in the following figures (5-19) and (5-20).

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Figure 5-19: Street design and Pedestrian Realm in Crystal City, Source: (Arlington, 2010)

Figure 5-20: Street types and sections in Crystal City, Source: (Arlington, 2010)

5.2 Case Study 2: The Solar Settlement in Freiburg, Germany.

Location (figure 5-21): Vauban district of Freiburg, Germany

Figure 5-21: Location of Case study 2: The Solar Settlement, Source: Google Earth

5.2.1 Background

The city of Freiburg is considered to be the solar capital of Europe; it is famous for the
integration of innovative renewable energy design from the level of public policy and urban
planning down to the details of architectural form and technologies. It has received several
environmental prizes like Ecological Capital of Germany in 1992, Sustainable City in 2004
and National Solar league several times (Bruno Gaiddon and others, 2009). The Vauban
district was created in 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The solar settlement (solarsiedlung am schlierberg or solar community at schlierberg) was
designed by architect Rolf Disch (figure 5-22). The complex is an example of social and
ecological sustainability that supports sustainable lifestyles. It includes two major
components, a commercial and residential mixed-use building and the solarsiedlung (or solar
community) row houses, which include various models of a modular structure as illustrated
in figure (5-23).

The region is known as the sun belt of Germany, with a relatively mild climate and
uniquely clear skies. The average low temperature is 2oC (35oF) in January and the average
high is 20oC (69oF) in July. The climate and location allow for the efficient use of both
passive and active solar design. Although winter heating is required, summer temperatures
are sufficiently moderate for there to be no need for air conditioning when ventilation and
passive cooling are properly designed (Guzowski, 2010).
5.2.2 Objectives and Goals

“ Freiburg's energy policy has three pillars: energy conservation, the use of new
technologies such as combined heat and power, and the use of renewable energy sources
such as solar to meet new demand, instead of fossil fuels” Dr.Dieter Worner said, director of
the Environmental Protection Agency of the city of Freiburg (Guzowski, 2010).

The main goal is to realize an ecologically oriented energy supply creating sustainable
regional development for the area as a whole. Leaders and community members in the

Vauban district decided to go beyond this and they established community-scale
sustainability plans to promote renewable energy lifestyles that minimize and eliminate the
use of fossil fuels.

Figure 5-22: The Solar Settlement in Freiburg aerial view, Source: (Guzowski, 2010)

Figure 5-23: The Solar Settlement site plan, Source: (Guzowski, 2010)

5.2.3 Energy Systems

The complex consists of the Solarship (the Figure 5-24: View from south-east showing the PV-roofs,
commercial portion of project) is the linear Source: (Hagemann, 2007)
building runs on a north-south axis with retail
spaces at street level, offices on the second and Figure 5-25: Underneath view of support structure for PV
third floors, and eight south-facing multistory Modules, Source: (Hagemann, 2007)
penthouses with roof gardens on the upper
levels, and the residential area (Solar
Community) which includes 50 family row
houses extended perpendicular to the retail
building, with five fingerlike rows of family

housing oriented on an east-west axis (figure 5-
24).

Energy systems include heat pumps, a heat
recovery system, solar hot-water collectors (on
the solarship), and photovoltaic system, each
house has its own PV system to generate
electricity. The complex is powered by
renewable energy sources from the sun, wind,
and biomass. In addition to passive solar design,
which reduces over all energy demand, a
photovoltaic array covers the roof areas. The
roof from is oriented to southern side with a 22-
degree angle that is optimal for PV performance
at this site, and shading criteria to moderate
solar gain. Figures (5-25) and (5-26) shows
integrated PV modules and underneath view of
their support structure.

The Solarship is designed to reduce energy

demand through ecological programming,

space planning, and architectural design. The
lack of south orientation is compensated by the
compactness of the design. The use of highly

heat-insulated outer casing, the decentralized

ventilation system with a highly efficient heat
recovery, and the passive-solar use of solar
energy with a 3-pane heat insulation thermo
pane glazing should offer low heating energy

demands. Computer simulations for the

Solarship show that a heating energy demands Figure 5-26: Vertical section: PV-modules support structure,
of yearly 10 to 20 KWh per m2 [3.2-6.3 Source: (Hagemann, 2007)
kBtu/sq ft]. 122-KW grid-tied photovoltaic

system on the penthouse roofs of the solarship are designed to meet an energy goal of 10-15

KWh/m2 (3.2-4.8 KBtu/sq ft) for Plus-Energy housing. For the row houses, the photovoltaic

systems have outputs that vary from 3.0 to 12.0Kw (for a total of 333 KW for the row

houses) based on the size and needs of the housing unit. High performance triple glazing and

solar shading work in tandem to optimize

winter and summer solar benefits for both Technical Data

heating and cooling. • Latitude/Longitude: 47° 59' 43" north, 7° 51'
11" east
As a result, the commercial solarship, at • Time period from project idea to realisation:
6.034 m2 (64.949 sq ft) consumes 17 KWh/m2 approx. 10 years

(5.3 KBtu/sq ft) per year, and produces 18 PV-Generator:
KWh/m2 (5.7 KBtu/sq ft) per year. Row
houses, with a total of 6.745 m2 (72,602 sq ft), • PV-System size: 445 kWp
annually consume 2,200 KWh per house, while • Orientation: south
generating 6,280 KWh per house. The total • Inclination (Terrace houses): 22°
photovoltaic output for the solar community is • Grid connected
455 KW, including 333 KW from the row • Inverter company: http://www.SMA.de
houses and 112 KW from the solarship. Paul • PV-Modules: 10 mm laminated safety glass
• PV-Installation:

http://www.SonnenStromAG.de

Gipe, an energy expert from Windworks Standard of construction:

summarizes:"...the average electricity Terrace Houses:
consumption for the homes is only 2,200 • “Energy-Surplus-House®” (in German:
KWh/year. That's one-third the average of the “Plusenergiehaus®”)
typical California home, one-fifth that of the • Exterior walls: ca. 0,12 W/m2K
typical Ontario house, and sixth that of the • Windows: Triple glazing units, U-Value: 0,70
typical Texan”. The rooftop solar panels W/m2K
produce (almost) 6,300 KWh/home per year or • Heat-recovery-system
three times more than each home consumes. • Heating requirement: 1 l/m2a
Figure (5-27) shows Time-dependent profiles • Use of rainwater
for consumption and generation, taking one Service Centre Sonnenschiff
house as an example. Consumption data are • Exterior walls: 0,1 W/m2K
plotted as negative values, generation data as • Glass façade: Triple glazing units, 0,7W/m2K
• Heat recovery system

Source: (Hagemann, 2007)

positive values. The common measure is the

primary energy.

Figure 5-27: Time-dependent profiles for consumption and generation, taking one house as an example,
Source: (Mira Heinze and Karsten Voss, 2009)

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5.3 Case Study 3: Hashtgerd new town, Tehran, Iran

Location (figure 5-29): Shahre Javan community area, South of Hashtgerd New Town, in
the Tehran-Karaj Region, Iran

Figure 5-29: Location of Case Study 3: Hashtgerd new town, Source: Google Earth

5.3.1 Background

The Project is a mutual Iranian-German research Project “Young Cities: Urban Energy
efficiency, Developing Energy-Efficient Urban Fabric in the Tehran-Karaj Region”. The
German partners of the project are funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and
Research (BMBF). From the Iranian side, the Building and Housing Research Center
(BHRC) and the New Towns Development Corporation (NTDC) as the main project partners
are both associated to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD). The
complex approach of the Young Cities research project is dealing with urban structures
(space), urban infrastructure (networks), buildings (objects), and social and economic
framing conditions (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011).

The research site, Hashtgerd New Town’s urban area is planned to cover some 4,600 ha,
of which 4,000 ha located north of the Tehran- Qazvin highway, and 600 ha to the industrial
zone south of it. It consists of 25 neighborhood units for 20,000 residents each separated by
green spaces. The neighborhood units should offer small-scale public and service facilities.
Urban density is more compact than other Iranian towns with an average density of 150
inhabitants per hectare in free standing 3 to 5 storey buildings (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011).
Figure (5-29) shows the proposed land use for Hashtgerd New Town.

Shahre Javan community area is a 35 ha area located in the South of Hashtgerd New
Town. It is planned to accommodate approximately 8,000 residents (approx. 2,000 residential
units). Urban design approach can be described as “low rise, high density”, referencing the
traditional regional urban form with a clear hierarchy of public, semiprivate spaces, private
spaces and access systems. Figure (5-30) shows the urban form of the pilot 35 ha area while
figure (5-31) the proposed land use for pilot 35 ha area.

Figure 5-29: Proposed land use for Hashtgerd New Town, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.3, 2012)
Figure 5-30: Aerial view of Shahre Javan Community Area, Source: (TU-Berlin, 2012)

Figure 5-31: Proposed land use of Shahre Javan Community Area, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.3, 2012)

5.3.2 Objectives and Goals

The main goals of the pilot research project are:
1. Achieve energy-efficiency in hot climates while considering Iran’s cultural context. It

defines criteria for energy-efficiency and the adaptation of related goals and indicators in
the respective Dimensions.
2. Derive methodologies from the planning process in the form of guidelines and manuals
for sustainable planning and design and energy-efficiency in Iran.
3. Actions could result in manuals or even policies and codes on local, regional and even
national level.

The pilot research project advantages could be summarized as:
 It is a model project; it is excluded from daily routine allowing for new innovative

approaches.
 It fosters communication within the project and encourages the exchange between the

Project Partners.
 It is considered as a laboratory to define design and planning approaches for successive

scaling up of the solutions.

The planning process defines goals and sub-goals (table 5-1) in order to achieve climate

responsiveness and resource efficiency which can be illustrated as following:
 Goal 1: Resource and energy efficiency, incl. reduction of CO2 emissions;
 Goal 2: Environmental protection and improvement;
 Goal 3: Strengthening local identity;
 Goal 4: Flexible and adaptable structures;
 Goal 5: Sufficient supply of green and open spaces;
 Goal 6: Unrestricted accessibility.

Table 5-1: Goals and sub-goals in order to achieve climate responsiveness and resource efficiency for Hashtgerd New
Town, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.3, 2012)

Urban planning

1 1.1 Energy efficient forms of land use based on mixed and dense land use models

1.2 Efficient infrastructure in a dense and compact urban form

2 2.1 Protection of soil, water, flora and fauna, and improvement of the local micro-climate

3 3.1 Protection of the local environmental values

4 4.1 Enabling the adaption of the neighborhood to future requirements

Urban design

1 1.3 Reducing fossil energy demand for cooling and heating

1.4 Compactness in order to reduce building surfaces

1.5 Compactness through a reduction of building height

3 3.2 Identity of urban design through a strong spatial hierarchy

4 4.2 Flexible plot design with development potential

Architecture

1 1.6 Natural light for living zones and passive solar energy gain

1.7 Reducing the embedded energy of materials and construction

3 3.3 Ensuring privacy and respecting socio-cultural habits within a compact urban form

3.4 Strengthening identity through architecture

4 4.3 Regulation of floor zone use by location

4.4 Flexible floor use while keeping light and sun exposure in compact housing

4.5 Flexibility of unit sizes

Landscape planning and Environment

1 1.8 Saving water

1.9 Saving energy

1.10 Carbon-binding measures for climate protection

2 2.2 Improvement of the micro-climate near residential areas

2.3 Protection, maintenance, and development of the natural environment and landscape

5 5.1 Sufficient supply of public green spaces near residential areas

5.2 Provision of private green spaces

Transport and Mobility

1 1.11 Reduction of fuel demand

1.12 Support of mixed land use approach

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1.13 Maximization of coverage with public transport stops

1.14 Reduction of car ownership and use within Shahre Javan Community

2 2.4 Support of environmentally friendly traffic (slow modes)

2.5 Support of public transport

2.6 Avoidance of through-going traffic

2.7 Minimization of soil sealing and creation of rainwater infiltration areas

2.8 Minimization of traffic noise emissions

6 6.1 Barrier-free mobility within Shahre Javan Community

6.2 Improvement of traffic safety

6.3 Maximization of public transport stations

Water and Waste water

1 1.15 Saving water and energy by reducing water consumption

1.16 Saving water and energy by recycling waste water in wetlands

Energy supply

1 1.17 Reducing the total energy demand and fossil fuels need for heating and cooling

1.18 Reducing the water demand for cooling

In this case study, the research analysis will focus on water and waste water management
to identify the design elements discussed in chapter 4 and the use of simulation tools and
programs and its application on the urban form at neighborhood scale.

5.3.3 Environmental Management Systems: Water and Waste water management

The integration of the infrastructural systems considers two levels, one of about 35 ha
pilot project area and one for the entire region. Under consideration of climate change,
natural conditions and socio-cultural circumstances, management concepts for water demand
and waste water in arid and semi-arid regions are being developed on the base of three
different strategies:
 Catch up strategy: strategy which aims

to reach the actual state-of-the-art which
is applied in most industrialized
countries (figure 5-32).
 Modern strategy: strategy whereby
decentralized and more flexible concepts
are pursued (figure 5-33).
 Overtaking strategy: strategy which
aims to reach the latest available
technologies (figure 5-34).

The dense, mixed-use urban form offers Figure 5-32: Catch up strategy, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011)

an efficient waste water disposal concept
with respecting the local conditions such
as climate, availability of water,
earthquake threat and culture. It provides

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reducing energy and fresh water demand
without a loss of comfort.

Efficiency of water and waste water
management could be achieved as follow:

1. Reducing demand

The reduction of water demand could

be achieved at neighborhood level

through the installation of water-efficient

devices and appliances.

2. Harvesting rain and Storm water Figure 5-33: Modern strategy, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011)
It could be harvested from roofs sealed

surfaces and streets are collected in a

separate system and infiltrated into the

ground (figure 5-35).

3. The gray water treatment and reuse

Origins from bath tubes, showers, sinks

and washing machines is collected

separately and treated decentralized in

constructed wetlands. It could be reused

for irrigation. The non used grey water is

given into the storm water system and

hence infiltrated.

4. Black water treatment

Origins from toilets and kitchens is

collected in a separate system and treated

in a central waste water treatment plant. Figure 5-34: Overtaking strategy, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011)
Depending on the used technology and

degree of treatment this water might also be ready for reuse. Another possibility would be a

controlled infiltration of this water after treatment for groundwater recharge. Figure (5-36)

shows proposed waste water concept for grey and black water.

Figure 5-35: Proposed rainwater treatment in Case study 3, Figure 5-36: Proposed waste water concept in Case study 3,
Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.3, 2012) Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.3, 2012)

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5.3.4 Computational Simulation for Urban and Neighborhood Analysis

In this study, analyses were done in 3 different scales, including

 Building scale and Geometry; define form, orientation, façade, height of building and
its effect on the layout of open space. Shaping building masses is optimized through
SOLARCHVISION simulation analysis of solar-climatic analysis of different proportion
and orientation of different building geometry.

 Medium scale/sub-neighborhood level; using Autodesk Ecotect to optimize sub-
neighborhood layout regarding outdoor thermal comfort and energy efficiency.

 Large scale, 35 hectare pilot project in Hashtgerd; using ENVI-met, and
SOLARCHVISION simulation analysis of urban mass and spaces

These simulations could be discussed as following:

5.3.4.1 Building scale and Geometry

1. All residential buildings were modeled and

simulated using Autodesk ECOTECT and

calculated with the energy simulation tool

Energy Plus. All models contain detailed

geometry and physical aspects such

orientation, wall constructions, etc.), user

behavior, ventilation, lighting and the weather

data of the region. The U-values for the walls,

roofs, basement ceilings and windows, were

selected to have a total thermal energy demand

for both heating and cooling 50 % compared Figure 5-37: Autodesk ECOTECT analysis, Source: (TU-Berlin-

to the limits of the building Iranian energy Vol.2, 2011)

standard “Code 19”. Heating and cooling

loads for each kind of building were determined as result of the simulations. Furthermore

this provided answers about thermal comfort, solar irradiation, shadings or temperature

gradients (see figure 5-37).

2. The study aimed to calculate and map solar radiation models using SOLARCHVISION
simulation. Figure (5-38) shows year-cycle outdoor analysis of different alternatives of
urban fabric in Hashtgerd. Shaping building masses toward optimized orientation
(orientation between South and East) resulted from energy efficient point of view, the
comfort level of urban spaces between blocks decreases significantly as the building
volume receives most of desirable energy of the sun in cold times and do not block most
of undesirable energy of the sun in hot times. However the comfort level at the
undesirable points of urban fabric which are presented in red could be improved using
trees, shading and reflecting devices. Optimization of the proper orientation and form of
the site should be considered as the main objective of solar-climatic design of new urban

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fabrics while several practical possibilities are available to improve the performance of
each façade.

Figure 5-38: Year-cycle outdoor analysis of different alternatives of urban fabric in Hashtgerd, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.6,
2013)

5.3.4.2 Sub-neighborhood area scale
In medium scale, a sub-neighborhood area in 35 hectares as a sample was selected to be

simulated as shown in figures (5-39) and (5-40). Based on comparing solar radiation and
wind flow in a difference sample, the optimum form of building was achieved in terms of
volume, orientation, height and material.

Figure 5-39: Optimization sub-neighborhood layout designs, Source: (TU-Berlin-B03, 2013)

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Figure 5-40: Comparing solar radiation in three samples, Source: (TU-Berlin-B03, 2013)

5.3.4.3 Neighborhood Scale

1. The project is proposed to investigate aspects of urban space to improve outdoor human
thermal comfort using urban layout such as form and height. Key questions approached
in this work are:
 How urban morphology (Orientation of blocks and layout of open space, scale of
building) affect thermal comfort?
 How simulation analysis could improve thermal comfort in urban open space?

To analyze the effect of urban layout on thermal comfort, the project was simulated using
the three-dimensional model ENVI-met 4. Two urban layouts were analyzed to include low-
rise building (as a new design) as shown in figure (5-41) and high-rise building layout (as a
typical form in that area). The model takes into account the physical processes between
atmosphere, ground, buildings and vegetation and simulates the climate within a defined
urban area with a high spatial and temporal resolution, enabling a detailed study of
microclimatic variations.

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Figure 5-41: Simulation of low-rise building layout by ENVI-met 4, Source: (TU-Berlin-B03, 2013)

Mean radiant temperature, surface
temperature and wind velocity were
compared in two-sample layouts
(figure 5-42). The results show in the
open space around the low rise
building weather is cooler than the area
around high-rise building. Also
weather in low-rise layout is more
humid than high-rise building in
summer. Compare PET (physiological
Equivalent Temperature) between low-
rise and high-rise layout, shows more
outdoor thermal comfort in low-rise
building (figure 5-43).

Figure 5-42: Compare low-rise and high-rise building
layout in middle point of site, Source: (TU-Berlin-B03,
2013)

Figure 5-43: Compare PET between low- and heigh-rise layout in all open space, Source: (TU-Berlin-B03, 2013)

55

2. According to SOLARCHVISION analysis of urban mass and spaces, the following
graphs illustrate the annual amount of direct and diffuse solar radiation as well as the
design performance of building geometries in relation to the advantages and
disadvantages of solar radiation during the heating and cooling periods. It is important to
improve the solar-climatic performance (the red and yellow areas in the annual passive
analysis) using optimized reflectors, shading devices, trees... etc. and repeats the analysis
(figure 5-44). According to analysis during the cooling period, shade during the heating
period and exposure to the sun can generate unfavorable situations for east/west-oriented
paths during most parts of the year. At a smaller scale, residential units were studied
during the cooling and heating periods in the same way, see figure (5-45).

Figure 5-44: SOLARCHVISION analysis of the Shahre Javan Community during different periods, above-left active analysis,
annual solar radiation model, above-right: passive analysis annual cycle, bottom left: heating period and bottom right:
cooling period, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.9, 2014)

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Figure 5-45: SOLARCHVISION passive analysis on a neighborhood scale in different periods, left: heating period, right:
cooling period, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.9, 2014)

Another study is performed discussing the project result (Sajadpour, 2008). The
simulation model of the soil temperature of the sub-grid of Hashtgerd NW analyzed by the
micro-climate model ENVI-met is shown in figure (5-46). According to it, the semi-public
courtyards and streets oriented east-west have the maximum soil temperature, so they are
deficient in providing comfortable outdoor spaces in regard to sun radiation and natural
ventilation. Although the streets between the volumes are narrow, their temperature is high in
summers and the agglomeration of buildings creates shadow in winter. It could be concluded
from this case study that nor the width of the streets neither the combination of volume
masses in resembling traditional courtyards are enough in creating thermally comfortable
urban spaces. For alleviating this condition, low-energy, passive strategies should be added
to the correct orientation of the streets in order to create thermally comfortable outdoor
spaces.

Figure 5-46: Image of soil temperature simulation of the sub-grid of Hashtgerd, Source: (Sajadpour, 2008)

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5.4 Conclusion

Table (5-2) summarizes the 3 case studies, the analysis of Design elements through them
and the outputs and procedures which can be conducted and applied in the following chapter.
Neighborhood design is characterized by interdisciplinary and a mix of methodological
approaches. From the previous development process for mentioned Case studies, the thesis
develops a methodology for development of application site and applies some aspects related
to Urban and Architecture design discipline and Computational simulation in Chapter 6.

Table 5-2: Summary of Case Studies, Source: Researcher.

Reasons of Study Urban Related Aspects
Design
Elements

Designation of mix of uses

Land use systems Propose range of residential building types & Create
mix of retail establishments - relationship of the
underground concourse to street-front retail in a
building section

Develop High density development and propose
increased maximum building heights.

Case Study 1: Crystal City Palace, Washington, USA. Define Building legislation like mass strategy and
buildable envelopes and setbacks

LEED-ND Certified Define recommendations anticipated near-Term needs
and services and Future needs services and areas to
A vital, mixed-use monitor
neighborhood with
increased densities Roads Propose a number of improvements
and a neutral carbon Network to the street network
balance is a vision for
an environmentally Walkable Redevelop connectivity, and
sustainable place. Environment capacity to accommodate multiple
modes of traffic movement
Mobility systems Transportation
Develop interconnected, consistent,
and safe pedestrian and bicycle
networks

Develop a bicycle-sharing program
is developed to replace car trips with
bicycle trips

Create multiple modes of public
transit and multi-modal
transportation facility

Roads Types Define the street morphology,
& Design design and sections

5

Case Study 2: The Solar Settlement in  Solar capital of Energy Systems Integrating innovative renewable energy design from
Freiburg, Germany. Europe the level of public policy and urban planning down to
the details of architectural form and technologies in
 Ecological Capital of addition to efficient use of both passive and active
Germany in 1992 solar design.

 Sustainable City in
2004

Environmental Water and Reduce demand at neighborhood level
management Waste water Harvest rainwater
Strategies Gray water treatment and reuse
Systems Black water treatment
 Iranian-German
Case Study 3: Hashtgerd new town, Tehran, Iran research Project Building scale Analyze heating and cooling loads
“Young Cities”. and Geometry for each kind of building, providing
answers about thermal comfort,
 Programs used in solar irradiation, shadings or
Computational temperature gradients
Simulation :
Shape building masses toward
 Autodesk ECOTECT optimized orientation, analyze the
 ENVI-met comfort level of urban spaces
 SOLARCHVISION between blocks

Computational Sub- Compare solar radiation and wind
Simulation neighborhood flow in a difference sample, the
area scale optimum form of building was
achieved in terms of volume,
orientation, height and material

Analyze the effect of urban layout
on thermal comfort using ENVI-met

Neighborhood Analyze urban mass and spaces, in
Scale relation to the advantages and
disadvantages of solar radiation
during the heating and cooling
periods using SOLARCHVISION
analysis.

59

Chapter 6

Application

 Site Context.
 General Urban Context Development.
 Analysis of 3 Graduates' villages land use.
 Building Forms and Capacity.
 Development strategies for proposed

Neighborhood.
 Development Scenario 1
 Development Scenario 2

6 Application

In Egypt, urban impact for unsustainable planning strategies led to many problems which
could be summarized in 3 main issues (1) over-population with complicated urban crises and
challenges in old cities at Nile valley and Delta, (2) 95% of Egypt lands are vacant and
undeveloped and (3) the planning strategies for some new urban approaches aren’t
sustainable and couldn’t satisfy the community needs as introduced in the case study.

The case study was selected as an example for urban regeneration of urban and rural areas
at the international coastal road at Burullus Lake. The case study is a part of a research
project “Combined Renewable Energy Techniques, for the Development of the Egyptian
Hinterlands” which is funded by Competitive Funding Programme (CFP), postgraduate,
research and cultural affairs sector at Mansoura University. The project aims to develop self-
sufficient economic housing prototype for Al-Burullus Housing units to achieve
sustainability of the northern coastal communities in Egypt and examine the future feasibility
for renewable energy integration. The research is applied to the existing 3 Graduates villages
which are located at Burullus Lake. The case study located into the solar belt and/or
connecting to the international coastal road and electricity link- would provides an
opportunity to study the feasibility of creating sustainable development connected to the
international research perspectives. The researcher is one of the team members at the
research projects participating in all project phases which could be summarized as:

 Collecting data through study visits, direct observations, interviews, learning from
precedents, resource surveys and prioritizing.

 Analyzing data and defining problems and opportunities.
 Developing physical improvements scenarios.
 Performing computational simulation analysis and technical measurements at site
 Scenario evaluation through community participation.

At this chapter, the study aims to optimize urban parameters that would collectively
promote high density urban growth and maximize land efficiency, optimize the use of land
and mobility efficiency, and provide a variety of lot sizes and housing types to cater for the
diverse housing needs of the community, at densities which can ultimately support the
provision of local services with the use of solar design and wind analysis and the ability of
sustainable technologies integration in the urban context. It aims to develope the 3 villages so
that it could be regenerated into Sustainable Neighborhoods.

6.1 Site Context

El-Burullus Lake lies on the eastern side of Rosetta branch of the Nile River at Delta
region. Delta region is characterized with very high densities in most of its Urban & rural
areas with Deteriorated infrastructure suffering from unsustainable urban impacts except for
the coastal axis which has the ability for recent development. The Case study is located at
Kafr el-Sheikh Governorate at Metopas center at the north of El-Burullus lake where the 3
villages are related to its management and polices (figure 6-1).

Mediterranean sea

Metopas Center

Delta Burullus Lake

International Coastal Road

Figure 6-1: The location of case study at Burullus lake, Source: processed by researcher from Google Earth.

The area is divided into 3 locations named by SidiTalha, El-Said El-Badawy, and Ebrahim
El-Desouky villages (figure 6-2).

SidiTalha

Ebrahim El-Desouky

El-Said El-Badawy

Figure 6-2: The location of the Graduates' villages, Source: processed by researcher from Google Earth.

El-Burullus lake area is characterized by many resources such as agriculture, livestock
farming, fish farming, reed harvesting, bird hunting, tourism and recreation but human
interventions and pollution threatened its biodiversity and led to excessive use of resources
(Shaltout, 2010).

El-Burullus region is divided into 3 main zones as shown in figure (6-3); (1) Urban
development of the coastal area to be touristic and residential area and services, (2) The area
of 3 villages Surrounded by their own agriculture lands which the most important resource
for residents economics, each family has 2 or 4 acres From Agriculture lands and (3)
Agriculture lands of Kafr El-Sheik governorate.

Figure 6-3: Analysis of the Surrounding urban land use Figure 6-4: Water bodies surrounding case study site.
resources for case study site. (1) Mediterranean sea (2) Burullus lake (3) Nile river,

(1) Urban development of the coastal area (2) The area of Rosetta branch.
3 villages (3) Agriculture lands of Kafr El-Sheik governorate. Source: processed by researcher from Google Earth.

Source: processed by researcher from Google Earth.

Water bodies (figure 6-4) are considered as the second main resource for residents’
economics which are (1) Mediterranean sea as an important resource for agriculture through
water desalination, (2) Burullus lake; the water quality of the lake has changed over time;
these changes are related to human intervention and eutrophication processes and (3) Nile
river (Rosetta branch). Figure (6-5) shows current land use analysis image for Burullus area
in 2009.

Figure 6-5: Land use image of Burullus area in 2009, Source: (Noha Samir Donia and Hanan farag, 2012)

Some of the current local residents are from the surrounding rural and urban areas due to
the linkage to these areas as shown in figure (6-6). Most of them left their own lands vacant.
The abandonment of the residents has many reasons such as the lack of services and job
opportunities at the 3 villages which are neglected without any development, the salinity of
soil in some agriculture areas, no development in agriculture and irrigation techniques, the
unsuitable design for the residential buildings, although the site is connected to electricity but
there is no approaches for integrating sustainable energy techniques or energy conservation ,
no water management although the availability of surrounding water bodies, unsuitable
sewage system affected by rainfall in winter finally but not least no available stations for
transportation or internal mobility system.

(1) Graduates’ Villages; the case study
area.
(2) Metopas center which the 3 villages
are related to.
(3) Rosetta; second Islamic heritage city
in Egypt.
(4) AL Burj; one of the important urban
centers at Burullus.
(5) Baltim; touristic city as a summer
resort.
Figure 6-6: linkage to surrounding urban and rural areas, Source: processed by researcher from Google Earth.

6.2 General Urban Context Development

In order to initiate the process of polarization reversal and accommodate the expecting
population growth, General Organization for Physical Planning focused on two major
initiatives: promoting development axes; and building new desert villages. The purpose of
these initiatives is to minimize regional disparities. The first initiative aims to provide spaces
for addition six million Egyptians by 2022 in new cities. The other initiative is to construct

another 400 villages just outside the Nile Valley and Delta to protect valuable and limited
agricultural old lands, expanding the net area on which Egyptians will live by 2022. The new
villages are planned to be the residence of five million Egyptians by 2022. Accordingly, five
axes for economic development were investigated during 2007-08 as Phase One of this
program. These development regions are: the International Road, North of the Nile Delta; the
Northwestern Coast; Upper Egypt-Red Sea axis; the Cairo-Ismailia Road; and the Cairo-
Alexandria Road. The second phase of the program will determine other development axes
(GOPP, 2014).

The study area extends to about 160 km along the northern coast of the Nile Delta from
Dumyat to the east to Rosetta to the west with a distance of five kilometers south the
International Road along which new communities will be developed (figure 6-7). The
planning teams identified three ecological zones to include number of secondary cities
including Sherbeen, Balkas, El-Hamoul, Sidi Salem and Metobus.

Figure 6-7: Regional plan for North Coast of Nile Delta, Source: (GOPP, 2014)

The area divided the region into homogeneous zones along the international road which
have the potential to support several economic activities, such as agricultural production,
including livestock production and fishing; manufacturing, such as canning and food
industries, and tourism. The estimated cost of the proposed plan is EGP 14.3 billion, where
EGP 4.5 billion and EGP 9.8 billion allocated for infrastructures (roads, drinking water, and
sanitation) and private investments in commodity production, such as agriculture and
manufacturing, and productive services, such as transportation and tourism, respectively.
Figure (6-8) shows the proposed land allocation for various uses according to GOPP.

Figure 6-8: Proposed land allocation for various uses (acres), Source: (GOPP, 2014)

Rural-urban migration, rapid economic growth, and increased investments along the
international road as a future necessity will change the urban characteristics of the proposed
site. New Planning and upgrading strategies should be managed and performed in a
sustainable way to accommodate future population, job opportunities and activities which are
shown in figure (6-9) and table (6-1).

Figure 6-9: Proposed Land use plan for North Coast of Burullus, Source: processed by researcher from (GOPP, 2013)
Table 6-1: Future activities and job opportunities at Study area, Source: (GOPP, 2013)

Projects Investment costs Employment
opportunities
Dry Port 250
Projects of providing the requirements for fish production 50 12,500
Recreational tourist services 100 2500
25 5000
Salting and fish-processing 1250
75 3750
Projects of foods saved and Meat Industries and Fish
Canning 200 10,000

Special tourism projects to develop and exploit the beaches 2500
in sandy areas
6250
Snow manufacturing projects 50
12,500
Projects of the establishment of the service centers for the 125 7500
renewal and maintenance of boats and fishing tools
7500
Projects of dry ports and service stations for transport 250
150 3750
Projects of refrigerated warehouses and refrigerators 150 10,000
vegetables, fruit and fish
75,000 jobs
Projects for the manufacture of animal feed from
agricultural residues and waste fish

Projects for the manufacture and salting and canning fish 75

Special tourism projects to develop and exploit the beaches 200
in sandy areas Billion and half

Total pounds

5

6.3 Analysis of 3 Graduates' villages land use

The following comparative land use analysis for the 3 villages in table (6-2) defines the
percentage of residential zones and its population capacity compared with the area required
for services and open areas represented by internal streets and urban spaces and the
population.

Table 6-2: Comparative analysis of urban land use for 3 villages, Source: Researcher.

SidiTalha village El-Said El-Badawy village Ebrahim El-Desouky Village

`

Total area = 0.26 km2 - Total area = 0.58 km2 - Total area = 0.38 km2 -
Estimated population = 1684 Estimated population = 4600 Estimated population = 3000

Residential Types = Residential Types = Residential Types =
Type A -One storey, semi- Type A , Type B- One storey, Type A , Type B - One storey,
attached building - 421 units, each semi-attached buildings - 1150 Semi-attached buildings - 751

192 m2 units, each 192 m2 units, each 192 m2

The percentage of urban land use shows that 3 villages have a very low population density
which doesn't exceed 4600 person in about 0.58 km2 in the case of El Said El-badawy
village. Compared with low density, high density has economic, social and environmental
benefits as it provides efficient land use, reducing public service costs, car dependency and
parking demand, increasing support for public transport, public open space and more energy
efficiency.

Services areas (educational, medical, recreational, social activities ... etc)are planned to
allow people to make short walking trips and provide other opportunities for individuals to
live and work in close proximity but they are mostly empty without sufficient services so
residents have to travel to other places. Some of the residential buildings are converted to
commercial uses for residents’ daily needs especially in El-Said El-Badawy as the distance
exceeds 500 m to services area at the south end of the villages.

Internal Streets are unpaved without any transportation means (figure 6-10). Urban spaces
are vacant without any landscaping or urban design. No sewage systems are used except for
septic tanks for each unit.

Figure 6-10: Site photo shows Physical urban Condition, Source: Researcher.

6.4 Building Forms and Capacity (Housing Types)

The residential buildings are classified into 2 Types (Type A, Type B). Each of them is
semi-attached one storey building. Table (6-3) shows the 2 residential building types and
design, built area ratio and its compatibility with residents needs.

The building footprint ratio doesn’t exceed 23% as a and the rest vacant area was required
to be planted and used for the production of crops but the sandy soil which have very little
clay to retain nutrients and so are not fertile and need to be replaced with productive soil to
achieve the main design concept.

The building unit itself with areas 34m2 and 44m2 at Type A and Type B respectively
isn’t sufficient to the residents needs as shown from people interventions, each unit should
accommodate a family consists of about 4-6 persons with the ability for vertical extension for
their sons and more residents for future development.

Table 6-3: Housing Types of Graduates' villages, Source: Researcher. Type B
Type A

Built area = 34 m2 (Flat roofs) Built area = 44 m2 (Flat roofs)
About 17.5% from total unit area About 23% from total unit area

Most of residents made many modifications on the building form and its design expanding
its spaces to be suitable for their needs. Other interventions are done by reconstructing new
buildings on the whole area with different structure to be further extended vertically without
any regulations to control and optimize the building form or design character as shown in
figure (6-11).

Figure 6-11: Residents interventions, Source: Researcher.

The following graphs show solar radiation analysis on residential units and their
orientation related to wind rose. The analysis is performed using Revit environmental
analysis tools. According to solar radiation analysis the building envelope and urban spaces
are totally exposed to solar radiation compared to the use compact building forms or the use
of any shading elements. The wind flow without any obstacles decreases the effect of high
temperature due to the effect of solar radiation. The units have 2 different orientations as
shown in table (6-4) without any architectural design modification to gain desirable wind to
optimize thermal comfort inside units’ spaces.

Table 6-4: Solar radiation analysis and Wind Rose of Current site using Revit/Vassari, Source: Researcher.

Solar Radiation

Type A - Spring - 20/03/2015 from 10 AM to 4 PM Type A - Summer - 01/07/2015 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Solar radiation range 0 - 2.7 KWh/m2 Solar radiation range 0 - 5.8 KWh/m2

Type A - Autumn - 22/09/2015 from 10 AM to 4 PM Type A - Winter - 21/12/2015 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Solar radiation range 0 - 2.9 KWh/m2 Solar radiation range 0 - 1.4 KWh/m2

Wind Study

Autumn Summer

Spring Winter

9

6.5 Development Strategies for Proposed Neighborhood

For the development for the 3 Graduates villages, the project organization undergo 3 main
strategic dimensions with supporting modules as shown in figure (6-12) which is similar to
young cities research project which is discussed in chapter 5. The research project defines a
strategic framework and main issues for research, development and modeling including site
characteristic, resources, needed and existed services, economic activities, materials and
construction, life quality and environment, community, youth life and education and energy
resources.

Figure 6-12: Project Organization Chart, Source: (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011)

As shown, the complex approach of the development of Graduate villages project is
dealing with

 Urban structures (space),
 Urban infrastructure (networks),
 Buildings (objects), and
 Social and economic framing conditions
has to be reflected on the level of methodology. Consequently, the project is characterized
by interdisciplinary and a mix of methodological approaches (TU-Berlin-Vol.2, 2011). From
the previous development process for the spatial framework for existing planned sites, the
main scope is to reinforce the established pattern of development, concentrating higher
intensity activities along the main spine while working towards reduced car reliance and
greater continuity of green space.

The study will discuss two main scenarios to develop the selected site:
(1) The first scenario deals with the ability of reconstructing residential units to achieve
higher densities, mixed use approaches and social mix. It provides needed services and
develops efficient mobility systems in a sustainable way.
(2) The second scenario keeps the current residential prototypes with making extensions
on the existing bearing walls structure horizontally and vertically.

Table (6-5) defines the applied design criteria on the two development scenarios which
result from the analysis of case studies in the previous chapter.

Table 6-5: Applied design criteria on the development scenarios, Source: Researcher.

Development Scenario 1 design criteria

Development Scenario 2 design criteria

Urban Design Elements Related Aspects

Land use Designation of mix of uses
systems
Propose range of residential building types & Create mix of retail
establishments - relationship of the underground concourse to street-front
retail in a building section

Develop High density development and propose increased maximum building
heights.

Define Building legislation like mass strategy and buildable envelopes and
setbacks

Define recommendations anticipated near-Term needs and services and Future
needs services and areas to monitor

Mobility Roads Network Propose a number of improvements to the street network
systems
Walkable Redevelop connectivity, and capacity to accommodate
Environment multiple modes of traffic movement
Develop interconnected, consistent, and safe pedestrian
and bicycle networks

Develop a bicycle-sharing program is developed to
replace car trips with bicycle trips

Transportation Create multiple modes of public transit and multi-modal
transportation facility

Roads Types & Define the street morphology, design and sections
Design

Energy Systems Integrating innovative renewable energy design from the level of public
policy and urban planning down to the details of architectural form and
technologies in addition to efficient use of both passive and active solar
design.

Environmental Water and Waste Reduce demand at neighborhood level
management water Strategies Harvest rainwater
Gray water treatment and reuse
Systems Black water treatment

Computational Building scale Analyze heating and cooling loads for each kind of
Simulation and Geometry building, providing answers about thermal comfort, solar
irradiation, shadings or temperature gradients

Sub- Shape building masses toward optimized orientation,
neighborhood analyze the comfort level of urban spaces between
area scale blocks

Neighborhood Compare solar radiation and wind flow in a difference
Scale sample, the optimum form of building was achieved in
terms of volume, orientation, height and material

Analyze the effect of urban layout on thermal comfort
using ENVI-met

Analyze urban mass and spaces, in relation to the
advantages and disadvantages of solar radiation during
the heating and cooling periods using
SOLARCHVISION analysis.

6.5.1 Development Scenario 1:

The first scenario is concerned with maximizing the land value of housing areas to
accommodate high densities with a minimum population 15,000 people per km² (UN-
Habitat, 2014) for each village so that it could be suitable for urban development for its
services and infrastructure with a sustainable management of the surrounding resources and
urban economics to be a model for a sustainable neighborhood. The new construction should
be represented as a family semi-attached housing with min. 2-3 storey with the ability to be
extended vertically without exceeding 15 m height ( max. 4- 6 stories ) according to the roads
width respecting the Egyptian code for residential building. The ground level could be used
for commercial, daily needs and building services.

As mentioned before in chapter 4 for Renewal Strategies, the main scope is to reinforce
the established pattern of development, concentrating higher intensity activities along the
main spine while working towards reduced car reliance and greater continuity of green space.
Table (6-6) illustrates the methodology steps of this scenario.

Table 6-6: Development Scenario 1 methodology, Source: Researcher.

Applications

1 Reconstructing residential units to achieve higher densities 15,000 people
per km², mixed use approaches and social mix.

2 Providing the needed services and efficient mobility systems.

3 Proposing different alternatives for building forms according to population
capacity with respect to people needs and urban interventions

4 Selecting an urban clustered area (88 units) to apply alternatives simulation

5 Examining alternatives according to solar radiation analysis using Autodesk
Revit/ Vasari simulation tools.

6 Examining alternatives according to wind flow analysis using Autodesk
Revit/ flow design simulation tools.

6.5.1.1 Land use systems:
The upgrading concept concerns with the use of the same urban fabric with some

modifications, Development strategies can be summarized as follow:
 Reconstructing and intensify the land value by raising floor areas for each plots to

increase the population density,
 Encourage diversification of housing stock,
 Allow further intensification of center activities,
 Support mixed use and diversity of shops and local facilities along local high streets
 Increase the general quality and use of public transport.
 Maximizing pedestrian, cycling and public transport accessibility.
 Work to increase public access open space, where needed, in the outer accessible and

poor access zones.
 Introduce Industrial zones and workshops with a good range of jobs and facilities.
Designation of uses:

The current land use for El-Said El-Badawy village (figure 6-13) shows the residential
zones about 42% of total area, and main services areas at the top middle of the urban context
attached to the main entrance to the village. There is no proposed mix of uses developed in
the plan except some people introduced some commercial activities to their homes to
upgrade their incomes.

Figure 6-13: Current land use of application site, Source: Researcher.

Mixed Use and social mix: Figure 6-14: Potential of mixed-use at application site,
The design focuses on increasing the Source: Researcher.

range of residential building types, number
of bedrooms per unit. Upgrading should
propose range of residential building types
& Create mix of retail establishments.
Mixed land-use lead to social mixing
providing job opportunities which are
generated for residents from different
backgrounds and with different income
levels and could attract additional services
to the neighborhood. Figure (6-14) shows
the ability of support mixed use and
diversity of shops and local facilities along
local high streets. The areas in red color
show the integrated mixed use potentials

with residential zones.

High density development
The study suggests 3 alternatives to be discussed and evaluated. The 3 alternatives are

concerned with maximizing the land value of housing areas to accommodate high densities.
In case of El Said El-badawy village, the population could be doubled or tripled by adjusting
building form by adjusting its size area and the vertical extensions to satisfy the residents
needs. They are designed as follows:

Alternative 1: Most of people intervention demolished the current building to use the
whole area as 2 or 3 storey. The alternative suggests 100% built area to be discussed and
evaluated.

Alternative 2: This alternative design is inspired by new cities regulation in Egypt and
their building ratio to ensure more green area and provide 3 elevations for better spatial
design, solar access and ventilation.

Alternative 3: Same as alternative 2 but with smaller building ratio and smaller dwelling
units but provides more urban spaces with more accessibility of wind and solar radiation.

Table (6-7) shows the design alternatives according to the built floor ratio and the 3d
forms. As shown each form consists of 4 units which are attached in alternative 1 and semi-
attached at the other 2 alternatives. The diagrams show different heights for each alternative
from 1 to 4 storeys to show different building forms as the vertical extensions could be left to
the owners needs or defined by specific building requirements as a planning strategy. The
Ground floor could be used for commercial needs as a mixed use strategy to provide a better
access from homes to needed facilities and protect the community wellbeing and area
livability

Building legislation:
Building legislation define mass strategy, heights, buildable envelopes and setbacks

according to each alternative

Table 6-7: Design alternative for residential blocks, Source: Researcher.

Alternative 1 Alternative 2 Alternative 3

Coverage = 100% Coverage = 60% Coverage = 42%
Built area = 192 m2 Built area= 115 m2 Built area = 80 m2
2 dwelling units/storey 1 dwelling unit/storey 1 dwelling unit/storey

Building Cores Commerical daily needs for mixed use

Figure (6-15) shows an illustrative planning concept after introducing new residential
buildings and intensification of center activities and needed services.

Figure 6-15: Development Proposal of land use of Application model, Source: Researcher.

5

Neighborhood Services and Facilities: Figure 6-16: Walking distances from
The current urban fabric offers spaces for Neighborhood center, Source: Researcher.

introducing an array of community and civic Figure 6-17: small shop hubs and nursery centers
amenities. It provides a network of retail frontages within walking distance, Source: Researcher.
and commercial activities along streets and at
neighborhood center. Figure (6-16) shows the Figure 6-18: Public open green spaces, Source:
walking distances from neighborhood center. The Researcher.
proposed plan provides small shop hubs and
nursery with walking distance don’t exceed 200 m
as shown in figure (6-17). It also provides several
retail oriented public open spaces intended as
neighborhood activity centers as shown in figure
(6-18). These retail plazas should be intensely
programmed to promote the retail experience and
social interaction. Some areas are introduced as a
result of increasing residential building footprints
and heights to compensate added built areas at the
residential plots, offer good views, daylighting
and ventilation to residential units and urban
spaces.

The recommendations for needed services can
be listed as follow:

 Nursery and Schools –Based on generation
rates, an elementary and secondary schools are
needed at neighborhood center. Nursery could
be distributed at small centers within the
required distances 200 m and children ratio.
Increased residential and employee
populations will likely increase demand for
child day care facilities.

 Police Substation – A need for a police
substation to service the growing population
the 3 graduate villages can be located at
neighborhood center or on the road.

 EMS/Fire Station – A need for a EMS/Fire
substation to service the growing population
the 3 graduate villages can be located at
neighborhood center or on the road.

 Grocery Stores – There are no full-service
grocery stores within the study area that stock
a wide array of food products, typically
including vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry,
dairy products, breadstuffs, etc.).

 Urgent Care Facilities – It should be a local urgent care facility. It should be placed
within existing at neighborhood center with highly visible from the public realm.

 Community-oriented facilities – such as an adult education center, preschool child
development center, or district energy system, could be explored.

 Polling Places – County polling places are venues at which voters may cast their vote on
election days. As of 2009, Crystal city include 2 polling, the potential need for additional
polling places should be monitored in the future.

 Community Center/Learning Center/Civic Center - lecture halls, a
library/technology/media center, and/or supporting retail such as a bookstore and cafe,
and relevant programming based on population interests and needs and promote social
interactions.

 Open Spaces and playgrounds also needed to provide required outdoor play area.
 Fuel stations could be a vital option while developing the whole axis and will be needed

for transportation methods are introduced while upgrading the case study site and
increasing population density and their needs.

6.5.1.2 Mobility Systems

Roads Network
The pattern of the case study
depends on rectilinear grid which is
characterized by excellent directional
orientation and controllable lot depth. It
provides a dispersal of traffic through
the web and efficient double-loading of
alleys and utilities.

Walkability Figure 6-19: Roads Network and Types for application model,
The Horizontal mixed-use Source: Researcher.
development as shown from previous
study provides zones with range of
services especially for daily needs and
is placed within a reasonable distance
to encourage cycling and walking and
giving new opportunities for social
contact and interaction. Connections
(red circles in figure 6-19) should be

designed to promote connectivity and
safety. Pedestrian areas should be
included at junctions and crossings, as
well as bus stops and waiting platforms.

Transportation
Although the walking distance to key services which is from 400 to 500 m, the movement
framework for new development along the ring road connecting urban centers and the

internal mobility should provide for a direct Minibus/bus route. Stop intervals should be
within 200 m with area served about 800 m.

Figure (6-20) shows proposed public
transport catchment areas for minibus for
internal mobility in yellow and bus for
connecting urban neighborhood centers
along the development axis in blue. Tok
Tok could be considered a suitable for
local mobility but it needs to be modified
to be safer and licensed. A sustainable
technology battery-operated “GEM”
neighborhood vehicle can be also used as
a future development according to its
availability in Egypt.

Roads types and design

Figure (6-19) also shows the hierarchy Figure 6-20: Proposed public transport catchment areas for
of roads types. There are two main types Application model, Source: Researcher.
of roads as shown in figure (6-21) which
are:

 Roads in red are high local streets,
It has the ability to accommodate higher volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and

be organized to provide excellent mobility. It could be considered as commercial roads
 Roads in grey could be considered as Small-scale streets

Residential Streets - are designed to discourage high-speed traffic and promote walking

and cycling

Figure 6-21: Road types, Source: Researcher.

Comparing the five principles which mentioned in chapter 2 to analyze a neighborhood
provide with a set of quantitative measurements. Table (6-8) gives the recommended ranged
of quantitative measurements in green as a sustainability analysis of a neighborhood
compared to the quantitative measurements of the proposed upgrading of case study model of
El Said El-badawy village for example.

Table 6-8: Quantitative measurements of the proposed upgrading of application model – Scenario 1, Source: Researcher.

Formula Unit Principle

Street land-use (30-45%) Principle 1
Total floor area (15-60k Principle 2
people/km2)
Population density (40-60%) Principle 3

Economic floor area (30-60%)
Total floor area
Residential floor area (0-50%) Principle 4
Total floor area (20-50%) Principle 5
Single tenure (0-10%)
Residential floor area
Affordable housing 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Residential floor area
Single function block area
Neighborhood area

Percentage

6.5.1.3 Analysis and Examination of Alternatives

 Solar Radiation analysis for proposed alternatives

The alternatives are examined and analyzed according to solar radiation analysis as an
example for computational simulation analysis. It is important to measure the amount of
incident solar energy on building horizontal and vertical surfaces. It could be linked to
energy simulation to determine load demands, predict energy generation by integrating PV
systems and control solar thermal systems for domestic hot water. It is also important as a
guide for material selection for building envelope as well as establishes the best orientation
of building to reduce energy loads at the first design phases if it is available (Trubiano,
2013).

Revit/Vasari simulation tool is used for performing the solar radiation comparative
analysis for the 3 alternatives. It is quick, easy to use and iterative test for visualizing and
quantify the amount of solar radiation received by buildings receives while creating the
conceptual mass of each alternative (Autodesk, 2015). Solar radiation simulation analysis
occurred on summer 21/06/2015 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Cumulative solar radiation range
detected by Autodesk Vasari from 0 –4.2 KWh/m2 and the site coordinates are Longitude

9

30.608and Latitude 31.446. Table (6-9) shows the solar results on the building forms and
cumulative solar radiation comparative results of the 3 alternatives.

Table 6-9: Solar radiation Simulation for Sub-neighborhood alternatives, Source: Researcher.

Solar Radiation analysis

Case 1
42% of land area

Case 2
60% of land area

Case 3
100% of land area

The results (figures 6-22 and 6-23) show that the 3 alternatives are arranged from the
largest value to the lowest one in terms of cumulative solar radiation results as following;
alternative1, alternative2 and alternative 3. Comparing alternative 3 with the 1st and 2nd
alternatives results, the floor area is too small so the roofs and surfaces exposed to solar
radiation will give the minimum values.

Figure 6-22: Cumulative solar radiation comparative Figure 6-23: Cumulative solar radiation comparative results
results on residential building roofs and facades, Source: on residential building roofs, Source: Researcher.

Researcher.

In case of alternative1, although it gives the best opportunity for solar design and
application of PV cells as the surface floor area is the whole plot area but it offers large
dwelling units which make development of residential units expensive and difficult to
market. Skylight ducts should be introduced for providing good lighting and ventilation for
dwelling spaces as the units are very attached to each other with one façade.

The Study suggess that alternative 2 will be the most suitable one comparing to the others
for the following reasons:

 The surface floor area is suitable for residents needs and their economic incomes.
 Each dwelling unit has 3 facades with suitable spaces between buildings to provide good

daylighting and ventilation for the interior spaces.
 Solar radiation simulation shows that the difference between alternative 1 and 2 is too

close and its ability to integrate sustainable solar techniques is available.

 Wind flow analysis for proposed alternatives

External Wind flow analysis is performed to assess wind loading and analyze the impact
of different urban forms to surrounding areas as shown in table (6-10). A common use for
such analysis is to verify pedestrian comfort level and wind safety in urban areas.

Revit/Flow Design is used for Air flow analysis. It is well suited for architectural
applications. It is able to quickly model wind behavior around (not inside) closed buildings
and provide an understanding of where there may be risks of elevated velocities and/or
stagnant regions. As a design aide, it is not principally intended to provide exact measures,
nor does it replace traditional CFD or physical wind tunnel testing (Autodesk, 2014).

Table 6-10: Wind Flow Simulation for Sub-neighborhood alternatives, Source: Researcher.

Wind Flow analysis

Case 1
42% of land area

Case 2
60% of land area

Case 3
100% of land area

The results show that wind speed amount and direction in the 3 cases are relatively
convergent at the main open space. Wind speed increases through spacing tunnels between

buildings especially in case 2 more than cases 3 as the setbacks of buildings are wider, so it
may offer good ventilation and more air access for side elevations.

6.5.2 Development Scenario 2:

Second Scenario depends on the results of the mentioned research project “Combined
Renewable Energy Techniques, for the Development of the Egyptian Hinterlands”. The main
specific objectives of the research is to develop self-sufficient economic housing prototype
for Al-Burullus Housing units to achieve sustainability of the northern coastal communities
in Egypt, through examining the following;

 Production of electricity power using PV cells,
 Production of crops and Horticulture by using greenhouse system,
 Production of distilled sea water,
 Production of Methane gas using Biomass tank for cooking activities. where the

production of electricity using PV cells as the main source of energy could achieved in
the near future 10-20 years and the VLS-PV project would be activated in Egypt,
especially with the starting of cooperation between EU countries and MENA for
renewable energy links.

In the following part, the thesis analyzes the ability of integration innovative renewable
energy design and environmental management systems. It also analyzes the effect of urban
layout on thermal comfort using ENVI-met after increasing residential building floor areas
through horizontal and vertical extensions on the existing bearing walls structure. Table (6-
11) illustrates the methodology steps of this scenario.

Table 6-11: Development Scenario 2 methodology, Source: Researcher.

Applications

1 Integrate innovative renewable energy design

2 Analyze the environmental management systems for Energy and
Environmental
developing Current urban context on different scales
management
3 Develop the application of horticulture and watergy
systems

approaches.

4 Increase residential building floor areas through horizontal

and vertical extensions on the existing bearing walls

structure. Sub-

neighborhood
5 Analyze the impact of new urban mass and spaces through thermal comfort
simulation of solar radiation, mean radiant temperature,
analysis
wind flow and sky-view factor on sub-neighborhood area to

improve outdoor human thermal comfort.

Programs used: ENVI-met 3.1

6.5.2.1 Energy and Environmental management systems
The research studies energy management, environmental management including water,

waste water and waste management and the application of horticulture and watergy
approaches. Table (6-12) shows a study to define the integrated techniques and their
applications on 3 different scales the individual unit, semi attached units and the whole
blocks

The prototype uses closed greenhouse concept to preserve the water demand, plant
protection, accumulation of Co2 aeration losses in hot and arid regions, requires for irrigation
and horticulture activities. By using a heat exchange tower with an internal cooling duct
placed into the center of a greenhouse to condense the heated humidified air, generated from
plants, to generate cooled and dehumidified air to be supplied to the vegetation, and
additionally condensed water for further use. Achieving decentralized concept systems of
combined water supply and wastewater treatment at lower environmental impact. Figures (6-
22) and (6-23) show the residential unit prototype concept design with the integration of PV
cells and Green house horticulture.

Figure 6-22: Residential Unit Prototype with the use of Green house horticulture, Source: (CFP, 2012)

Figure 6-23: Section in Residential Unit Prototype shows the integration of PV cells and Green
house horticulture, Source: (CFP, 2012)

Different numbers of parameters are considered requested to design and installing of PV
systems, using simulation tools for estimating the average performance of PV system in
different positions in the built environment. The results define the relation of annual energy
performance versus PV panel feasible angels and area for different dwelling blocks and the
energy output of PV systems based on panel’s tilt and azimuth angles (figure 6-24).