Impact of spatial layout on vertical wind conditions and comfort levels in high-rise residential buildings in Shenzhen

Urban residential areas' rational spatial height distribution plays a crucial role in achieving a more balanced wind speed distribution, smoother air exchange, and improved space comfort. This study used Shenzhen as a representative city to analyse the effect of high-rise residential building layouts on vertical ventilation. Nine typical height-layout schemes were determined within an area of 220 x 200 m. Wind tunnel tests were conducted to validate the accuracy of the enhanced computational fluid dynamics simulations. Various parameters were comprehensively evaluated, including wind speed, wind pressure, mean age of air (MAA), and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). The results show that different height layout schemes affect the distribution rates of wind speed, wind pressure, MAA, UTCI, and the rate of change with height. Compliance with the building row spacing specification enabled the nine schemes to obtain >83% of the windward wind speed and >48% of the leeward reasonable wind speed; the reasonable wind pressure distribution was >32% higher on the leeward side than that on the windward side. MAA statistics show that the air displacement efficiency per unit volume is generally between 120 and 300 s. >90% of the windward space in the UTCI was comfortable, and >60% of the leeward space felt slightly hot. This study shows the impact of high-rise residential layouts on comfort in hot summer and warm winter areas. It clarifies a reasonable height layout that helps realise the green liveability of residential areas.