Spatio-temporal promenades as representations of urban atmospheres. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boiné, Kévin; Demers, Claude M.H.; Potvin, André
• Is Part Of: Sustainable cities and society. Volume 42(2018)
• Page Start: 674
• Page End: 687
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Urban atmosphere -- Representation -- Promenade -- Pedestrian -- Urban heat -- Survey; Sustainable urban development -- Periodicals; Sustainable buildings -- Periodicals; Urban ecology (Sociology) -- Periodicals; 307.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.04.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2210-6707

Abstract

Highlights: The tool of representation organizes qualitative and quantitative information of an urban survey. The proposed visual representations spatially localize environmental factors that create or emphasize urban heat. Spatio-temporal syntheses demonstrate environmental diversity relative to urban typologies. Combined luminous and thermal visualization informs about pedestrians' exposure to microclimates and atmospheres. Abstract: An atmosphere is the synthesis for an individual at a given moment of the multiple thermal, visual, acoustical and olfactory perceptions suggested by a physical environment. An urban atmosphere therefore depends on the physical qualities of the built environment and the movement of urbanites. Urban atmospheres can be represented in time and space through the concept of a promenade . The objective of this approach is to increase knowledge about perception of pedestrians in an urban environment and their representation. Recently, urban atmospheres represented dynamically through the field of view of pedestrians may assist in the discussion of the built environment parameters relevant to city planners, building professionals and citizens. This paper presents the visual and thermal environmental parameters gathered at specific points of an urban promenade. Results are graphically presented according to their temporality and spatiality. The innovative aspect of the research stems from its spatio-temporal representations of visual and non-visual (thermal) physical qualities of urban spaces through photographs and their quantitative value to better investigate urban microclimates at the pedestrian and physical surface scales.