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Cynthia Skelhorn. Planning and design for sustainable cities in the MENA region. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment 2019, 8, 98 -102.
AMA StyleCynthia Skelhorn. Planning and design for sustainable cities in the MENA region. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment. 2019; 8 (2):98-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCynthia Skelhorn. 2019. "Planning and design for sustainable cities in the MENA region." Smart and Sustainable Built Environment 8, no. 2: 98-102.
Recent evidence suggests that many densely populated areas of the world will be uninhabitable in the coming century due to the depletion of resources, climate change, and increasing urbanization. This poses serious questions regarding the actions that require immediate attention, and opportunities to stave off massive losses of infrastructure, populations, and financial investments. The present study utilizes microclimate modeling to examine the role of landscape features as they affect ambient temperatures in one of the fastest growing regions of the world: Doha, Qatar. By modeling three study sites around Doha—one highly urbanized, one newly urbanizing, and one coastal low-density urbanized—the research indicates that at the neighborhood scale, the most effective scenario was that of adding mature trees along the sides of roads. In the coastal study area, the model results estimated a maximum hourly air temperature reduction of 1.35 °C, and in the highly urbanized inland site, surface temperature reductions were up to 15 °C at 12:00. While other scenarios were effective at reducing air and surface temperatures, the mean radiant temperature was also increased or nearly neutral for most of the other scenarios. This result highlights the need to develop improved shading measures for pedestrian pathways and outdoor recreational areas, especially for highly urbanized inland areas in Doha and cities with similar climatic conditions.
Salim Ferwati; Cynthia Skelhorn; Vivek Shandas; Yasuyo Makido. A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar. Sustainability 2019, 11, 730 .
AMA StyleSalim Ferwati, Cynthia Skelhorn, Vivek Shandas, Yasuyo Makido. A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (3):730.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalim Ferwati; Cynthia Skelhorn; Vivek Shandas; Yasuyo Makido. 2019. "A Comparison of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Alleviate Urban Heat in Doha, Qatar." Sustainability 11, no. 3: 730.
This study focuses on the significance of neighborhoods in a city as the smallest self-sufficient urban units akin to nuclear families in the larger society. Thus, improvements to the neighborhood form can improve livability, maximize walkability, and better the overall life quality of city inhabitants, which, in turn, advance a city’s overall environmental and social sustainability profile. The physical form (arrangement) and density of neighborhoods are primarily shaped by land ownership regulations, transportation, and communication means. The development of smart technology, especially in the fields of transportation and communication, has led to the reconsideration of some of sustainable urban form concepts such as neighborhoods. Low-density cities like Doha, Qatar can become both sustainable and livable, creating the basis for a sustainable city. First, this paper presents a critical review of Doha’s neighborhoods and advanced transport and communication technologies, in addition to the integration of these technologies with the physical form of neighborhoods. Then, the paper discusses the influences of such technologies on the future sustainability of the city of Doha and its neighborhoods. This investigation is based on a Delphi study to address the characteristics of a neighborhood and to identify two paradigms of ‘good’ design practice.
Soud K. Al-Thani; Cynthia P. Skelhorn; Alexandre Amato; Muammer Koc; Sami G. Al-Ghamdi. Smart Technology Impact on Neighborhood Form for a Sustainable Doha. Sustainability 2018, 10, 4764 .
AMA StyleSoud K. Al-Thani, Cynthia P. Skelhorn, Alexandre Amato, Muammer Koc, Sami G. Al-Ghamdi. Smart Technology Impact on Neighborhood Form for a Sustainable Doha. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (12):4764.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSoud K. Al-Thani; Cynthia P. Skelhorn; Alexandre Amato; Muammer Koc; Sami G. Al-Ghamdi. 2018. "Smart Technology Impact on Neighborhood Form for a Sustainable Doha." Sustainability 10, no. 12: 4764.
Cynthia Pamela Skelhorn; Sarah Lindley; Geoff Levermore. Urban greening and the UHI: Seasonal trade-offs in heating and cooling energy consumption in Manchester, UK. Urban Climate 2018, 23, 173 -187.
AMA StyleCynthia Pamela Skelhorn, Sarah Lindley, Geoff Levermore. Urban greening and the UHI: Seasonal trade-offs in heating and cooling energy consumption in Manchester, UK. Urban Climate. 2018; 23 ():173-187.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCynthia Pamela Skelhorn; Sarah Lindley; Geoff Levermore. 2018. "Urban greening and the UHI: Seasonal trade-offs in heating and cooling energy consumption in Manchester, UK." Urban Climate 23, no. : 173-187.
Doha, Qatar is one of the arid coastal cities of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Like similar cities, temperatures can vary widely throughout, with rapid and extensive development that has contributed to micro-climate changes. While numerous studies since the 1950s have assessed urban micro-climates, few have offered insights into urban corridor environments. This research is one of few projects to examine temperature records along two major roadways and identify factors that explain variation. The research uses vehicle-based air temperature traverses during late spring and summer 2016 using a Type T fine gauge thermocouple mounted in a white plastic tube and supported above the vehicle on the passenger-side window. The data were assessed in terms of four factors that may impact temperature along the corridors, including: distance from the coast, traffic volume, vegetation density, and building volume density from 50 m up to 400 m (in 50 m intervals) from the centerline of the traverse. Results indicated that the two most critical variables that predict air temperature patterns along the corridors are the distance to the coast and the traffic volume. This knowledge can be incorporated into urban planning and design practice for extreme arid environments to maintain temperatures that reduce heat-related stress.
Salim Ferwati; Cynthia Skelhorn; Vivek Shandas; Jackson Voelkel; Ayla Shawish; Mohammad Ghanim. Analysis of urban heat in a corridor environment – The case of Doha, Qatar. Urban Climate 2017, 24, 692 -702.
AMA StyleSalim Ferwati, Cynthia Skelhorn, Vivek Shandas, Jackson Voelkel, Ayla Shawish, Mohammad Ghanim. Analysis of urban heat in a corridor environment – The case of Doha, Qatar. Urban Climate. 2017; 24 ():692-702.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSalim Ferwati; Cynthia Skelhorn; Vivek Shandas; Jackson Voelkel; Ayla Shawish; Mohammad Ghanim. 2017. "Analysis of urban heat in a corridor environment – The case of Doha, Qatar." Urban Climate 24, no. : 692-702.
Purpose This paper aims to identify the current challenges and opportunities faced by the facility managers (FMs) in Doha, Qatar. Design/methodology/approach Researchers queried 40 FMs about their experience working in Qatar, using interviews and workshops. Findings Comments gathered followed general patterns. Participants expressed appreciation for their work, but also concern about cultural challenges they faced managing facilities in the region. In general, it was agreed that the low cost of water and energy in Qatar is one of the largest obstacles to conserving resources; however, current consumption is not sustainable. Research limitations/implications The sensitive nature of this study made strict demands on the research team to maintain participant anonymity during data collection and reporting. This sensitivity also limited the sample size; a larger sample size for future research would support greater generalizability. Social implications Qatar is taking steps to reduce its per capita carbon footprint and energy use, which is among the highest in the world. However, there appears to be a disconnect between Qatar’s expressed intentions and its actions with respect to facility management. To ensure that Qatar manages resources more efficiently, participants recommended that reduced energy use standards be adopted and legally mandated. This action would address many of the challenges, incentivize increased qualifications and training of FM professionals working in Qatar and encourage improvement of the long-term performance of buildings which are energy drains and heavy contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Originality/value Prior to this study, little has been published about current practices of facility management in Doha, Qatar, and the challenges and opportunities that FMs face in this region.
Zofia K. Rybkowski; Mardelle M. Shepley; John A. Bryant; Cynthia Skelhorn; Alex Amato; Saleh Kalantari. Facility management in Qatar: current state, perceptions and recommendations. Facilities 2017, 35, 335 -355.
AMA StyleZofia K. Rybkowski, Mardelle M. Shepley, John A. Bryant, Cynthia Skelhorn, Alex Amato, Saleh Kalantari. Facility management in Qatar: current state, perceptions and recommendations. Facilities. 2017; 35 (5/6):335-355.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZofia K. Rybkowski; Mardelle M. Shepley; John A. Bryant; Cynthia Skelhorn; Alex Amato; Saleh Kalantari. 2017. "Facility management in Qatar: current state, perceptions and recommendations." Facilities 35, no. 5/6: 335-355.
Fanhua Kong; Changfeng Sun; Fengfeng Liu; Haiwei Yin; Fei Jiang; Yingxia Pu; Gina Cavan; Cynthia Skelhorn; Ariane Middel; Iryna Dronova. Energy saving potential of fragmented green spaces due to their temperature regulating ecosystem services in the summer. Applied Energy 2016, 183, 1428 -1440.
AMA StyleFanhua Kong, Changfeng Sun, Fengfeng Liu, Haiwei Yin, Fei Jiang, Yingxia Pu, Gina Cavan, Cynthia Skelhorn, Ariane Middel, Iryna Dronova. Energy saving potential of fragmented green spaces due to their temperature regulating ecosystem services in the summer. Applied Energy. 2016; 183 ():1428-1440.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFanhua Kong; Changfeng Sun; Fengfeng Liu; Haiwei Yin; Fei Jiang; Yingxia Pu; Gina Cavan; Cynthia Skelhorn; Ariane Middel; Iryna Dronova. 2016. "Energy saving potential of fragmented green spaces due to their temperature regulating ecosystem services in the summer." Applied Energy 183, no. : 1428-1440.
Cynthia Skelhorn; Salim Ferwati; Ayla Shawish; Vivek Shandas. Urban form and impacts on urban heat for a corridor environment in Doha, Qatar. QScience Proceedings 2016, 2016, 25 .
AMA StyleCynthia Skelhorn, Salim Ferwati, Ayla Shawish, Vivek Shandas. Urban form and impacts on urban heat for a corridor environment in Doha, Qatar. QScience Proceedings. 2016; 2016 (3):25.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCynthia Skelhorn; Salim Ferwati; Ayla Shawish; Vivek Shandas. 2016. "Urban form and impacts on urban heat for a corridor environment in Doha, Qatar." QScience Proceedings 2016, no. 3: 25.
Climate change projections estimate a rise of approximately 3 °C by the 2080's for most of the UK (medium emissions scenario at 50% probability level, 1961-1990 baseline). Warming is a particular concern for urban areas due to urban densification and the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. To counteract the UHI, one adaptation strategy for urban areas is increasing the proportion of greenspace, such as parks, street tree plantings, and green roofs. This research employed an interdisciplinary approach to measure and model fine-scale microclimate changes due to greenspace and explore the implications for building energy demand in Manchester UK. Both the modelled and measured microclimate data informed development of a series of weather files for building energy modelling of three commercial building types. For a scenario adding 5% mature trees to the urban case study, the combination of microclimate modelling and data analysis estimated a maximum hourly air temperature reduction of nearly 1.0 °C under peak UHI conditions and wind speed reductions up to 1.0 m/s. These results were used to change the weather files in the building energy modelling, which estimated a reduction of 2.7% in July chiller energy due to the combination of reduced UHI peak hours and eight additional trees shading a three-storey shallow plan building. Energy savings increased to 4.8% under a three-day period of peak UHI conditions.
Cynthia P. Skelhorn; Geoff Levermore; Sarah J. Lindley. Impacts on cooling energy consumption due to the UHI and vegetation changes in Manchester, UK. Energy and Buildings 2016, 122, 150 -159.
AMA StyleCynthia P. Skelhorn, Geoff Levermore, Sarah J. Lindley. Impacts on cooling energy consumption due to the UHI and vegetation changes in Manchester, UK. Energy and Buildings. 2016; 122 ():150-159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCynthia P. Skelhorn; Geoff Levermore; Sarah J. Lindley. 2016. "Impacts on cooling energy consumption due to the UHI and vegetation changes in Manchester, UK." Energy and Buildings 122, no. : 150-159.
Cynthia Skelhorn; Sarah Lindley; Geoff Levermore. The impact of vegetation types on air and surface temperatures in a temperate city: A fine scale assessment in Manchester, UK. Landscape and Urban Planning 2014, 121, 129 -140.
AMA StyleCynthia Skelhorn, Sarah Lindley, Geoff Levermore. The impact of vegetation types on air and surface temperatures in a temperate city: A fine scale assessment in Manchester, UK. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2014; 121 ():129-140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCynthia Skelhorn; Sarah Lindley; Geoff Levermore. 2014. "The impact of vegetation types on air and surface temperatures in a temperate city: A fine scale assessment in Manchester, UK." Landscape and Urban Planning 121, no. : 129-140.