Effect of Linear Building Blocks on the Wind Environment of Streets between High-Rise Buildings

The interaction between high-rise and low-rise buildings in high-density cities can have an impact on the wind environment of surrounding streets and areas. In Hong Kong, a city with a large number of high-rise buildings, there are public open areas between these buildings that are potential sites for public facilities. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of linear or strip-shaped facilities on the wind environment in such areas. This study used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to analyze the wind environment of two different layouts of a plot in a dense district in the Kowloon Peninsula, with a focus on the impact of linear building blocks on the wind environment of streets between high-rise buildings. Wind speed measurements were taken at twenty-two points, including entrances and exits of residential areas, rest areas, and surrounding streets, based on the velocity ratio as an indicator. The study found that although linear-shaped low-rise buildings can have a minor negative impact on the overall wind environment, their shape can be adjusted to enhance the wind environment and improve the comfort levels. This research provides valuable insights into planning and designing public facilities in high-density cities, especially in Hong Kong, where street wind environment is essential for the comfort and well-being of pedestrians.