Assessing solar access and energy sustainability levels in high density residential urban environments on the dry lands of western argentina

ARBOIT MARIELA EDITH

New York

Conferencia; International conference on sustainable development; 2017

Columbia University

The results of a study aimed at comparatively assessing two alternative proposals for updating the Urban and Building Code, (UBC), in high-density urban areas of the city of Mendoza, are presented. The proposals were elaborated by Mendoza´s Municipality (MP) and by the R+D´s unit (AP), at Mendoza?s Scientific and Technological Research Center (CCT), respectively. The study was focused on one key issue: solar access to potential collecting surfaces of the built environment, assessed using a quantitative graphic method.(QGM1). Three temporal scenarios of the city´s evolution process, were analyzed, starting from the reference situation of existing, high density built-up areas and simulating their possible outcomes on theoretical mid (30 yr.) and long (60 yr.) time-terms, as results of the massive implementation of either normative in the longer term. A predictive gross estimate of future time scenarios through computational simulation and statistical analysis were utilized for the assessment of present and future environmental sustainability levels of either proposal. The results obtained, clearly show that the AP presents higher mean values of predicted solar potential, expressed by the indicator, Volumetric Insolation Factor total (VIFtot) for both time terms: MP30: 106, MP60: 73 and AP30: 141, AP60: 112 Mj/m3, respectively.On environmental aspects, the different impacts of either alternative on the urban landscape quality, seem to favour the AP proposal as well, and its deserved detailed assessment is presently being developed through a qualitative methodology.