SHADING IN OUTDOOR THERMAL COMFORT CASE STUDY: DURRES' PROMENADE

Durres' Promenade is a public space, used mainly for leisurely walk. Actually this area is completely exposed to the sunlight and it misses shading elements. This leads us to think that the thermal comfort principals were not considered during the urban design process. The aim of this paper is to assess outdoor thermal comfort, taking into consideration the microclimate modifications produced by shading. The study is experimental and analyzes "Durres Promenade" 1km length, as a case study. At the beginning it provides the types of shading used in promenade both artificial and natural shades. Field measurements considering air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed, mean radiant temperature, dew point, and thermal images are taken in different places of promenade during the year in different times. At the end, it compares, in the light of thermal comfort, the results obtain from measurement, between the shaded and not shaded areas. Furthermore is pointed out the difference of temperature between an area shaded by trees, to an area shaded by tends (artificial shads) and to an area without shades. The results will show how much influence in the built environment will provide the use of shading in promenade and public spaces in terms of microclimate conditions and thermal comfort.