Building height and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) are recognized as crucial design elements in urban environments, prior research has examined the effects of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) on thermal performance, explores the relationship between FAR and building coverage ratio (BCR). The combined influence of FAR and building height remains understudied. Recent policy changes in Egypt have increased the permissible FAR, potentially leading to a rise in buildings heights. These changes have prompted concerns regarding the combined effect of FAR and building height on thermal environment. However, a comprehensive understanding of this intricate relationship within urban blocks remains elusive. This study addresses this knowledge gap by investigating the impact of varying building heights on air temperature, with a focus on pedestrian thermal comfort in hot, arid climates. Employing computational simulations using ENVI-met software, the research evaluates different urban design scenarios. A base case urban block is established based on Egyptian regulations, followed by twelve additional scenarios with identical FAR and Building Coverage Ratio (BCR) but varying building heights (8-72 meters). Simulations compare potential air temperature for each scenario to the base case. Results reveal a significant influence of building height variation on air temperature. Notably, one scenario achieved a 1.5°C reduction during peak hours compared to the base case, suggesting potential for mitigating thermal discomfort. This study demonstrates that incorporating building height diversity within urban design strategies can be a valuable tool for managing air temperature and enhancing pedestrian thermal comfort in hot, arid regions.
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